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wdc-20230630

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)


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

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023


☐			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, $0.01 Par Value Per Share	WDC	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
		(Nasdaq Global Select Market)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No ý

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 ý 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 ý 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ý

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b) ¨

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on December 30, 2022, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $7.73 billion, based on the closing sale price as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

There were 321,895,961 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of the close of business on August 4, 2023.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Part III incorporates by reference certain information from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the 2023 fiscal year. Except with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, the Proxy Statement is not deemed to be filed as part hereof.

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

INDEX


		PAGE NO.
PART I
Item 1.	Business	4
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	11
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	26
Item 2.	Properties	27
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	29
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	29

PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	30
Item 6.	[Reserved]	32
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	33
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	48
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	49
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	107
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	107
Item 9B.	Other Information	108
Item 9C.	Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections	108

PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	109
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	109
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	109
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	109
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	109

PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	110
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	115

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, 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:

•our market position and portfolio synergies;

•our product plans and business strategies, including our ongoing review of strategic alternatives;

•consumer trends and market conditions, market opportunities and our market position;

•expectations regarding the impact of the network security incident;

•the global macroeconomic environment;

•expectations regarding supply chain conditions and constraints;

•expectations regarding demand trends and market conditions for our products and expected future financial performance;

•expectations regarding our product momentum and product development and technology plans;

•expectations regarding capital expenditure plans and investments, including relating to our Flash Ventures joint venture with Kioxia Corporation (“Kioxia”) and sources of funding for related expenditures;

•expectations regarding our effective tax rate and our unrecognized tax benefits; and

•our beliefs regarding our capital allocation plans and the sufficiency of our available liquidity to meet our working capital, debt and capital expenditure needs.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, represent the most current information available to the Company as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You are urged to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning 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 this Annual Report on Form 10-K and any of those made in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, 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 new information or events after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

WEBSITE REFERENCES

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we make references to our website at www.westerndigital.com. References to our website through this Form 10-K are provided for convenience only and the content on our website does not constitute a part of, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital”) is on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. We are a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of data storage devices and solutions based on both NAND flash and hard disk drive technologies. With dedicated flash-based products (“Flash”) and hard disk drives (“HDD”) business units driving advancements in storage technologies, our broad and ever-expanding portfolio delivers powerful Flash and HDD storage solutions for everyone from students, gamers, and home offices, to the largest enterprises and public clouds to capture, preserve, access, and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data. Our broad portfolio of technology and products in Flash and HDD address multiple end markets of “Cloud”, “Client” and “Consumer.”

Cloud is comprised primarily of products for public or private cloud environments and end customers, which we believe we are uniquely positioned to address as the only provider of both Flash and HDD. Through the Client end market, we provide our original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) and channel customers a broad array of high-performance flash and hard drive solutions across personal computer, mobile, gaming, automotive, virtual reality headsets, at-home entertainment, and industrial spaces. The Consumer end market is highlighted by our broad range of retail and other end-user products, which capitalize on the strength of our product brand recognition and vast points of presence around the world.

Founded in 1970 in Santa Ana, California, Western Digital is now a Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500”) company headquartered in San Jose, California. We have one of the technology industry’s most valuable patent portfolios with approximately 13,000 active patents worldwide. We have a rich heritage of innovation and operational excellence, a wide range of intellectual property (“IP”) assets, broad research and development (“R&D”) capabilities, and large-scale, efficient manufacturing supply chains. The strong growth in the amount, value, and use of data continues, creating a global need for larger, faster and more capable storage solutions.

We are a customer-focused organization that has developed deep relationships with industry leaders to continue to deliver innovative solutions to help users capture, store and transform data across a boundless range of applications. With much of the world’s data stored on Western Digital products, our innovation powers the global technology ecosystem from consumer devices to the edge, to the heart of the cloud. We enable cloud, Internet, and social media infrastructure players to build more powerful, cost-effective and efficient data centers. We help OEMs address storage opportunities and solutions to capture and transform data in a myriad of devices and edge technologies. We have also built strong consumer brands with tools to manage vast libraries of personal content and to push the limits of what’s possible for storage. At Western Digital, we continue to transform ourselves to address the growth in data by providing what we believe to be the broadest range of storage technologies in the industry with a comprehensive product portfolio and global reach.

Industry

We operate in the data storage industry. The ability to access, store and share data from anywhere on any device is increasingly important to our customers and end users. From the intelligent edge to the cloud, data storage is a fundamental component underpinning the global technology architecture. Our strengths in innovation and cost leadership, diversified product portfolio and broad routes to market provide a foundation upon which we are solidifying our position as an essential building block of the digital economy. There is tremendous market opportunity flowing from the rapid global adoption of the technology architecture built with cloud infrastructure tied to intelligent endpoints all connected by high-performance networks. The value and urgency of data storage at every point across this architecture have never been clearer.

The increase in computing complexity and advancements in artificial intelligence, along with growth in cloud computing applications, connected mobile devices and Internet-connected products, and edge devices is driving unabated growth in the volume of digital content to be stored and used. This growth has led to the creation of new form factors for data storage. The storage industry is increasingly utilizing tiered architectures with solid state drives (“SSD”), HDD and other non-volatile memory-based storage to address an expanding set of uses and applications. We believe our expertise and innovation across both Flash and HDD technologies enable us to bring powerful solutions to a broader range of applications. We continuously monitor the full array of storage technologies, including reviewing these technologies with our customers, to ensure we are appropriately resourced to meet our customers’ storage needs.

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Technology

Flash Technologies. Flash products provide non-volatile data storage based on flash technology. We develop and manufacture solid state storage products for a variety of applications including enterprise or cloud storage, client storage, automotive, mobile devices and removable memory devices. Over time, we have successfully developed and commercialized successive generations of 3-dimensional flash technology with increased numbers of storage bits per cell in an increasingly smaller form factor, further driving cost reductions. We devote significant research and development resources to the development of highly reliable, high-performance, cost-effective flash-based technology and are continually pursuing developments in next-generation flash-based technology capacities. We are leveraging our expertise, resources and strategic investments in non-volatile memories to explore a wide spectrum of persistent memory and storage class memory technologies. We have also initiated, defined and developed standards to meet new market needs and to promote wide acceptance of flash storage standards through interoperability and ease of use.

Hard Disk Drives. HDD products provide non-volatile data storage by recording magnetic information on a rotating disk. We develop and manufacture substantially all of the recording heads and magnetic media used in our HDD products. We have led the industry in innovation to drive increased areal density and high-performance attributes. Our improvements in HDD capacity, which lower product costs over time, have been enabled largely through advancements in magnetic recording head and media technologies. Our multi-year product roadmap for high-capacity HDD, which combine ePMR, OptiNAND, UltraSMR and triple stage actuators to deliver a cutting-edge portfolio of drives, in commercial volumes, at a wide variety of capacity points, puts Western Digital in a strong position to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the large and growing storage markets. We invest considerable resources in R&D, manufacturing infrastructure and capital equipment for recording head and media technology, as well as other aspects of the magnetic recording system such as HDD mechanics, controller and firmware technology, in order to secure our competitive position and cost structure.

Our products generally leverage a common platform for various products within product families, and in some cases across product families, resulting in the commonality of components which reduces our exposure to changes in demand, facilitates inventory management and allows us to achieve lower costs through purchasing economies. This platform strategy also enables our customers to leverage their qualification efforts onto successive product models.

Our Data Solutions

Our broad portfolio of technology and products address multiple end markets of “Cloud”, “Client” and “Consumer” and are comprised of the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Cloud represents a large and growing end market comprised primarily of products for public or private cloud environments and enterprise customers, which we believe we are uniquely positioned to address as the only provider of both flash and hard drive products. We provide the Cloud end market with an array of high-capacity enterprise HDD and high-performance enterprise SSD, and platforms. Our capacity enterprise hard drives provide high-capacity storage needs and a low total cost of ownership per gigabyte for the growing cloud data center and smart video system markets. These drives are primarily for use in data storage systems, in tiered storage models and where data must be stored reliably for years. Our high-performance enterprise class SSD include high-performance flash-based SSD and software solutions that are optimized for performance applications providing a range of capacity and performance levels primarily for use in enterprise servers and supporting high-volume online transactions, data analysis and other enterprise applications. We also provide higher value data storage platforms to the market.

Through the Client end market, we provide numerous data solutions that we incorporate into our client’s devices, which consist of HDD and SSD desktop and notebook PCs, gaming consoles and set top boxes, as well as flash-based embedded storage products for mobile phones, tablets, notebook PCs and other portable and wearable devices, automotive applications, Internet of Things, industrial and connected home applications. Our HDD and SSD are designed for use in devices requiring high performance, reliability and capacity with various attributes such as low cost per gigabyte, quiet acoustics, low power consumption and protection against shocks.

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The Consumer end market provides consumers with a portfolio of HDD and SSD embedded into external storage products and removable Flash, which include cards, universal serial bus (“USB”) flash drives and wireless drives, through our retail and channel routes to market. Our external HDD storage products in both mobile and desktop form factors provide affordable, high quality, reliable storage for backup and capacity expansion that are designed to keep digital content secure. We offer client portable SSD with a range of capacities and performance characteristics to address a broad spectrum of the client storage market. Our removable cards are designed primarily for use in consumer devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, imaging systems, cameras and smart video systems. Our USB flash drives are used in the computing and consumer markets and are designed for high-performance and reliability. Our wireless drive products allow in-field backup of created content, as well as wireless streaming of high-definition movies, photos, music and documents to tablets, smartphones and PCs.

Competition

Our industry is highly competitive. We compete with manufacturers of Flash and HDD for Cloud, Client, and Consumer end markets. In Flash, we compete with vertically integrated suppliers such as Kioxia, Micron Technology, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SK hynix, Inc., Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd. and numerous smaller companies that assemble flash into products. In HDD, we compete with Seagate Technology Holdings plc and Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation.

Business Strategy

Our overall strategy is to leverage our innovation, technology and execution capabilities to be an industry-leading and broad-based developer, manufacturer and provider of storage devices and solutions that support the infrastructure that has enabled the unabated proliferation of data. We believe we are the only company in the world with large-scale capabilities to develop and manufacture a portfolio of integrated data storage solutions that are based on both Flash and HDD technologies. We strive to successfully execute our strategy through the following foundational elements in order to create long-term value for our customers, partners, investors and employees:

•Innovation and Cost Leadership: We continue to innovate and develop advanced technologies across platforms for both Flash and HDD to deliver timely new products and solutions to meet growing demands for scale, performance and cost efficiency in the market.

•Broad Product Portfolio: We leverage our capabilities in firmware, software and systems in both Flash and HDD to deliver compelling and differentiated integrated storage solutions to our customers that offer the best combinations of performance, cost, power consumption, form factor, quality and reliability, while creating new use cases for our solutions in emerging markets.

•Operational Excellence: We are focused on delivering the best value for our customers in Cloud, Client and Consumer end markets through a relentless focus on appropriately scaling our operations across both Flash and HDD technologies to efficiently support business growth; achieving best in class cost, quality and cycle-time; maintaining industry leading manufacturing capabilities; and having a competitive advantage in supply-chain management.

Our strategy provides the following benefits, which distinguish us in the dynamic and competitive data storage industry:

•a broad product portfolio that differentiates us as a leading developer and manufacturer of integrated products and solutions based on both Flash and HDD, making us a more strategic supply partner to our large-scale customers who have storage needs across the data infrastructure ecosystem;

•efficient and flexible manufacturing capabilities, allowing us to leverage our Flash and HDD R&D and capital expenditures to deliver innovative and cost-effective storage solutions to multiple markets;

•deep relationships with industry leaders across the data ecosystems that give us the broadest routes to market; and

•industry leading consumer brand awareness and global retail distribution presence.

In June 2022, we announced that we are reviewing potential strategic alternatives aimed at further optimizing long-term value for our stockholders. The Executive Committee of our Board, chaired by our CEO, is overseeing the assessment process, and the potential strategic alternatives include, among other things, options for separating our Flash and HDD business units.

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Research and Development

We devote substantial resources to the development of new products and the improvement of existing products. We focus our engineering efforts on optimizing our product design and manufacturing processes to bring our products to market in a cost-effective and timely manner. For a discussion of associated risks, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Patents, Licenses and Proprietary Information

We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to protect our IP rights.

We have approximately 13,000 active patents worldwide and have many patent applications in process. We continually seek additional United States (“U.S.”) and international patents on our technology. We believe that, although our active patents and patent applications have considerable value, the successful manufacturing and marketing of our products also depends upon the technical and managerial competence of our staff. Accordingly, the patents held and applied for cannot alone ensure our future success.

In addition to patent protection of certain IP rights, we consider elements of our product designs and processes to be proprietary and confidential. We believe that our non-patented IP, particularly some of our process technology, is an important factor in our success. We rely upon non-disclosure agreements, contractual provisions and a system of internal safeguards to protect our proprietary information. Despite these safeguards, there is a risk that competitors may obtain and use such information. The laws of foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct business may provide less protection for confidential information than the laws of the U.S.

We rely on certain technology that we license from other parties to manufacture and sell our products. We believe that we have adequate cross-licenses and other agreements in place in addition to our own IP portfolio to compete successfully in the storage industry. For a discussion of associated risks, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

Manufacturing

We believe that we have significant know-how, unique product manufacturing processes, test and tooling, execution skills, human resources and training to continue to be successful and to adjust our manufacturing operations as necessary. We strive to maintain manufacturing flexibility, high manufacturing yields, reliable products and high-quality components. The critical elements of our production of Flash and HDD are high volume and utilization, low-cost assembly and testing, strict adherence to quality metrics and maintaining close relationships with our strategic component suppliers to access best-in-class technology and manufacturing capacity. We continually monitor our manufacturing capabilities to respond to the changing requirements of our customers and maintain our competitiveness and position as a data technology leader.

Flash and HDD manufacturing are complex processes involving the production and assembly of precision components with narrow tolerances and rigorous testing. The manufacturing processes involve a number of steps that are dependent on each other and occur in “clean room” environments that demand skill in process engineering and efficient space utilization to control the operating costs of these manufacturing environments. We continually evaluate our manufacturing processes in an effort to increase productivity, sustain and improve quality and decrease manufacturing costs. For example, we have taken aggressive actions to restructure our client HDD manufacturing footprint in light of ongoing trends in the HDD Client market as PCs shift from using HDD to Flash technology. We continually evaluate which steps in the manufacturing process would benefit from automation and how automated manufacturing processes can improve productivity and reduce manufacturing costs. We also leverage contract manufacturers when strategically advantageous.

Our vertically integrated, in-house assembly and test operations for our HDD products are concentrated in Prachinburi and Bang Pa-In, Thailand; Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching, Malaysia; Laguna, Philippines; Shenzhen, China; San Jose and Fremont, CA, USA.

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Ventures with Kioxia

Substantially all of our flash-based supply requirements for Flash is obtained from our ventures with Kioxia, which provide us with leading-edge, high-quality and low-cost flash memory wafers. While substantially all of our flash memory supply utilized for our products is purchased from these ventures, from time to time, we also purchase flash memory from other flash manufacturers. While we do not unilaterally control the operations of our ventures with Kioxia, we believe that our business venture relationship with Kioxia helps us reduce product costs, increases our ability to control the quality of our products and speeds delivery of our products to our customers. Our business ventures with Kioxia are located primarily in Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Japan, and our in-house assembly and test operations are located in Shanghai, China and Penang, Malaysia.

We and Kioxia currently operate three business ventures in 300-millimeter flash-based manufacturing facilities in Japan, which provide us leading-edge, cost-competitive flash-based memory wafers for our end products. Through Flash Partners Ltd., Flash Alliance Ltd., and Flash Forward Ltd., which we collectively refer to as Flash Ventures, we and Kioxia collaborate in the development and manufacture of flash-based memory wafers using semiconductor manufacturing equipment owned or leased by each of the Flash Venture entities. We hold a 49.9% ownership position in each of the Flash Venture entities. Each Flash Venture entity purchases wafers from Kioxia at cost and then resells those wafers to us and Kioxia at cost plus a small markup. We are obligated to take our share of the output from these ventures or 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 50.0% of each Flash Ventures entity’s capital investments to the extent that the Flash Ventures entity’s operating cash flow is insufficient to fund these investments. We co-develop flash technologies (including process technology and memory design) with Kioxia and contribute IP for Flash Ventures’ use.

The agreements governing the operations of the Flash Venture entities also set out a framework for any investment by the joint venture partners in flash manufacturing capacity. Since its inception, Flash Ventures’ primary manufacturing site has been located in Yokkaichi, Japan. The Yokkaichi site, which is owned and operated by Kioxia, currently includes six wafer fabrication facilities. We have jointly invested, and intend to continue to jointly invest, with Kioxia in manufacturing equipment for the Yokkaichi fabrication facilities. We also have agreements that extend Flash Ventures to a wafer fabrication facility located in Kitakami, Japan, referred to as “K1”, which is operated by Kioxia Iwate Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kioxia. In January 2022, we entered into agreements regarding Flash Ventures’ investment in a new wafer fabrication facility in Yokkaichi, Japan, referred to as “Y7”, which is the sixth wafer fabrication facility at the Yokkaichi site. The primary purpose of Y7 is to provide clean room space to continue the transition of existing flash-based wafer capacity to newer flash technology nodes. The first phase of construction of Y7 is now complete and has commenced output.

For a discussion of risks associated with our business ventures with Kioxia, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Materials and Supplies

Our Flash consists of flash-based memory, controllers and firmware and other components. Substantially all of our flash-based memory is supplied by our business ventures with Kioxia. Controllers are primarily designed in-house and manufactured by third-party foundries or acquired from third-party suppliers. We believe the use of our in-house assembly and test facilities, as well as contract manufacturers, provides flexibility and gives us access to increased production capacity. We have developed deep relationships with these vendors and Kioxia to establish a continuous supply of flash-based memory and controllers.

HDD consists primarily of recording heads, magnetic media, controllers and firmware, and a printed circuit board assembly. We design and manufacture substantially all of the recording heads and magnetic media required for our products. As a result, we are more dependent upon our own development and execution efforts for these components and less reliant on recording head and magnetic media technologies developed by other manufacturers. We depend on an external supply base for all remaining components and materials for use in our HDD product design, manufacturing, and testing. We believe the use of our in-house manufacturing, assembly and test facilities provides the controls necessary to provide the demanding capabilities, performance and reliability our customers require.

We generally retain multiple suppliers for our component requirements, but for business or technology reasons, we source some of our components from a limited number of sole or single source providers. For a discussion of associated risks, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Sales and Distribution

We sell our products to computer manufacturers and OEMs, cloud service providers, resellers, distributors and retailers throughout the world. We maintain sales offices in selected parts of the world including the major geographies of the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Our international sales, which include sales to foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies but do not include sales to U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies, represented 69%, 71% and 78% of our net revenue for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sales to international customers are subject to certain risks not normally encountered in domestic operations, including exposure to tariffs and various trade regulations. For a discussion of such risks, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We perform our marketing and advertising functions both internally and through outside firms utilizing both consumer media and trade publications targeting various reseller and end-user markets. We also maintain customer relationships through direct communication and by providing information and support through our website. In accordance with standard storage industry practice, we provide distributors and retailers with limited price protection and programs under which we reimburse certain marketing expenditures. We also provide distributors, resellers and OEMs with other sales incentive programs.

For each of 2023, 2022 and 2021, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our net revenue.

Seasonality

We have historically experienced seasonal fluctuations in our business with higher levels of demand in the first and second quarters as a result of increased customer spending. Seasonality can also be impacted by cyclicality in the industry and macroeconomic conditions. For a discussion of associated risks, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Service and Warranty

We generally warrant our newly manufactured products against defects in materials and workmanship from one to five years from the date of sale depending on the type of product, with a small number of products having a warranty ranging up to ten years or more. Our warranty obligation is generally limited to repair or replacement. We have engaged third parties in various countries in multiple regions to provide various levels of testing, processing, or recertification of returned products for our customers. For additional information regarding our service and warranty policy, see Part II, Item 8, Note 1, Organization and Basis of Presentation, and Note 5, Supplemental Financial Statement Data, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Human Capital Management

In order to support our company’s strategy, a continued emphasis on talent is required. Despite the current industry headwinds, we continue to focus on attracting, developing, engaging and retaining the best talent for our company. At the end of 2023, we employed approximately 53,000 people worldwide. Our diverse team spans 38 countries with approximately 85% of our employees in Asia Pacific, 13% in the Americas and 2% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to diversity and promoting an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution. We support inclusive hiring, training and development opportunities and ensuring equitable pay for employees, and we continue to focus on increasing diverse representation at every level of our company. As of June 30, 2023, women represented 26% of our management positions and 23% of our technical staff. Additionally, members of Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or other racially or ethnically diverse communities, represented 62% of our U.S. management positions, which is a 1.4 percentage point increase compared to 2022.

We have a number of initiatives that focus on increasing our diverse representation, including our new college graduate recruitment and hiring programs as well as veteran hiring and training programs. Our Employee Resource Groups (“ERGs”) help create an inclusive culture that embraces the uniqueness of our employees. We have several ERG communities, focusing on women, LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic minorities, military and people with disabilities. For additional detail about our workforce, we encourage you to review our Sustainability Report, which we publish annually and make available on our corporate website. Nothing on our website shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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In 2023, we continued the self-identification initiative launched in the previous year by inviting new hires to share more about who they are across dimensions of gender, gender identity, veterans and disabilities. Participation was optional, data was protected and the results were anonymized. We believe an in-depth understanding of our employee population will enable us to better engage and retain our talent.

Compensation and Benefits

We believe in the importance of investing in our people, and we do that through a robust Total Rewards program. We benchmark our compensation and benefits programs annually using market data from reputable third-party consultants. We also conduct internal focus groups and employee surveys to inform programs and identify opportunities.

We promote a pay-for-performance culture and offer employees competitive compensation consisting of base salary and both short-term and long-term incentives. We also offer a global recognition program to celebrate the contributions of employees who bring our core values to life.

To ensure that our pay practices are fair and equitable, we conduct an annual pay equity assessment to promote equal pay for equal work for men and women. As part of this review, we analyze current pay which takes into consideration various, non-discriminatory factors, such as seniority, experience, skills, performance, location, track and hiring and promotion dates. We use the results to make pay adjustments as needed. In 2023, we expanded our assessment to cover 100% of our employee population globally. In the coming year, we plan to further our pay equity efforts by engaging in a living wage analysis.

We also believe in creating an environment that allows our employees to prioritize their physical, mental and financial well-being. We provide competitive benefits, including health coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement, paid time off, an employee assistance program and an employee stock purchase plan. In 2023, we continued our multi-year journey to modernize and improve our benefits portfolio with the goal of offering more choice to meet the unique needs of our diverse employees.

Talent Attraction, Development and Engagement

Foundational to our people strategy is the attraction, development and engagement of our employees. We continued our skills-based screening to hire employees based on capabilities and potential as well as our anonymous hiring pilot to identify and remove any potential for bias from our hiring process for interns. Additionally, we revamped our event experience by focusing on career fairs and conferences.

Fostering the next generation of talent continues to be a key priority, and in 2023 we increased our U.S. intern conversion rate by over 40 percentage points. We are also a corporate sponsor for the Quad Fellowship by Schmidt Futures, which aims to “empower exceptional engineering, mathematics, science, and technology graduate students to advance research and innovation with a lens of positive social impact.”

Developing our talent is key to helping us reach our business goals and retaining our people. We foster an environment of continuous learning through on-demand tools to help employees chart their career journey and track their progress. To equip employees with the skills needed to build resilience and manage the economic uncertainty, we shifted our focus to address critical capabilities in real-time. Alongside our flagship program Leader Essentials, we introduced self-directed development modules to help employees at all levels cultivate skills such as how to navigate dynamic times, have a learning mindset, seek insights and communicate effectively. We were recognized by Fast Company as one of the 10 most innovative companies in manufacturing in calendar year 2023 for upskilling 42% of our workforce at our Penang, Malaysia facility while working towards our sustainability goals.

Ongoing engagement is a keystone to our people strategy. We believe that listening is crucial to identifying opportunities to strengthen employee engagement as well as influencing our overall strategy. We also engage employees by taking actions to promote and ground them in our core values and beliefs as a company, so that we are conducting business in an ethical way. As a result of this focus, in 2023, we were named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for the fifth consecutive year. Our employees regularly engage in philanthropy to support the communities in which they work and live. In 2023, 32% of our employees participated in a company-sponsored volunteer event, which was bolstered by a 27-percentage point increase in participation among our factory worker population.

Health and Safety

We are committed to creating a safe work environment everywhere we operate. We provide extensive health and safety resources and training to all of our employees, especially for those who work in our manufacturing and operations. We use an integrated management system to manage health and safety standards at our manufacturing facilities.

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Government Regulation

Our worldwide business activities are subject to various laws, rules, and regulations of the United States as well as of foreign governments. Compliance with existing or future governmental regulations, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to global trade, the environment, consumer and data protection, employee health and safety, and taxes, could have a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings, competitive position and overall business in subsequent periods. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors for a discussion of these potential impacts.

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

We believe responsible and sustainable business practices support our long-term success. As a company, we are deeply committed to protecting and supporting our people, our environment, and our communities. That commitment is reflected through sustainability-focused initiatives as well as day-to-day activities, including our adoption of sustainability-focused policies and procedures, our publicly-recognized focus on fostering an inclusive workplace, our constant drive toward more efficient use of materials and energy, our careful and active management of our supply chain, our community-focused volunteerism programs and philanthropic initiatives, and our impactful, globally-integrated ethics and compliance program.

•We seek to protect the human rights and civil liberties of our employees through policies, procedures, and programs that avoid risks of compulsory and child labor, both within our company and throughout our supply chain.

•We foster a workplace of dignity, respect, diversity, and inclusion through our recruiting and advancement practices, internal communications, and employee resource groups.

•We educate our employees annually on relevant ethics and compliance topics, publish accessible guidance on ethical issues and related company resources in our Global Code of Conduct, and encourage reporting of ethical concerns through any of several global and local reporting channels.

•We support local communities throughout the world, focusing on hunger relief, environmental quality, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, especially for underrepresented and underprivileged youth.

•We utilize a robust integrated management system, with associated policies and procedures, to evaluate and manage occupational health and safety risks, environmental compliance, and chemical and hazardous substance risks.

•We work to minimize our impacts on the environment through emissions reduction targets and other initiatives and to evaluate and enhance our climate resiliency.

•We innovate to reduce the energy used by our products, the energy used to manufacture them, and the amount of new materials required to manufacture them.

Available Information

We maintain an Internet website at www.westerndigital.com. The information on our website is not incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available on our website at www.westerndigital.com, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after the electronic filing of these reports with, or furnishing of these reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business can be affected by a number of risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause material harm to our actual operating results and financial condition. The risks discussed below are not the only ones facing our business but represent risks that we believe are material to us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also negatively affect our business.

OPERATIONAL RISKS

Adverse global or regional conditions could harm our business.

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A large portion of our revenue is derived from our international operations, and many of our products and components are produced overseas. As a result, our business depends significantly on global and regional conditions. Adverse changes in global or regional economic conditions, including, but not limited to, volatility in the financial markets, tighter credit, recession, inflation, rising interest rates, slower growth in certain geographic regions, political uncertainty, geopolitical tensions or conflicts, other macroeconomic factors, changes to social conditions and regulations, could significantly harm demand for our products, increase credit and collectability risks, result in revenue reductions, reduce profitability as a result of underutilization of our assets, cause us to change our business practices, increase manufacturing and operating costs or result in impairment charges or other expenses.

Our revenue growth is significantly dependent on the growth of international markets, and we may face challenges in international sales markets. We are subject to risks associated with our global manufacturing operations and global sales efforts, as well as risks associated with our utilization of contract manufacturers, including:

•obtaining governmental approvals and compliance with evolving foreign regulations;

•the need to comply with regulations on international business, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010, the anti-bribery laws of other countries and rules regarding conflict minerals;

•exchange, currency and tax controls and reallocations;

•weaker protection of IP rights;

•policies and financial incentives by governments in China, the United States, and countries in Europe and Asia designed to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturing capabilities;

•trade restrictions, such as export controls, export bans, import restrictions, embargoes, sanctions, license and certification requirements (including semiconductor, encryption and other technology), tariffs and complex customs regulations; and

•difficulties in managing international operations, including appropriate internal controls.

As a result of these risks, our business could be harmed.

We are dependent on a limited number of qualified suppliers who provide critical services, materials or components, and a disruption in our supply chain could negatively affect our business.

We depend on an external supply base for technologies, software (including firmware), preamps, controllers, dynamic random-access memory, components, equipment and materials for use in our product design and manufacturing. We also depend on suppliers for a portion of our wafer testing, chip assembly, product assembly and product testing, and on service suppliers for providing technical support for our products. In addition, we use logistics partners to manage our worldwide just-in-time hubs and distribution centers and to meet our freight needs. Many of the components and much of the equipment we acquire must be specifically designed for use in our products or for developing and manufacturing our products, and are only available from a limited number of suppliers, some of whom are our sole-source suppliers. We therefore depend on these suppliers to meet our business needs including dedicating adequate engineering resources to develop components that can be successfully integrated into our products.

Our suppliers have in the past been, and may in the future be, unable or unwilling to meet our requirements, including as a result of events outside of their control such as trade restrictions (including tariffs, quotas and embargoes), geopolitical conflicts, public health emergencies, or natural disasters. If we are unable to purchase sufficient quantities from our current suppliers or qualify and engage additional suppliers, or if we cannot purchase materials at a reasonable price, we may not be able to meet demand for our products. Trade restrictions, including tariffs, quotas and embargoes, demand from other high-volume industries for materials or components used in our products, disruptions in supplier relationships or shortages in other components and materials used in our customers’ products could result in increased costs to us or decreased demand for our products, which could negatively impact our business. Delays, shortages or cost increases experienced by our suppliers in developing or sourcing materials and components for use in our products or incompatibility or quality issues relating to our products, could also harm our business.

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We do not have long-term contracts with some of our existing suppliers, nor do we always have guaranteed manufacturing capacity with our suppliers, so we cannot guarantee that they will devote sufficient resources or capacity to manufacturing our products. Any significant problems that occur at our suppliers could lead to product shortages or quality assurance problems. When we do have contractual commitments with suppliers in an effort to stabilize the supply of our components, those commitments may require us to buy a substantial number of components or make significant cash advances to the supplier and may not result in a satisfactory supply of our components. We have cancelled or deferred and may continue to cancel or defer outstanding purchase commitments with certain suppliers due to changes in actual and forecasted demand, which has resulted, and may continue to result in fees, penalties and other associated charges. Such cancellations or deferments can also negatively impact our relationships with certain suppliers or lead to a decline in the financial performance of certain suppliers, each of which could result in even more limited availability of components needed for our products.

In addition, our supply base has experienced industry consolidation. Our suppliers may be acquired by our competitors, decide to exit the industry, or redirect their investments and increase costs to us. In addition, some of our suppliers have experienced a decline in financial performance, including as a result of cancelled or deferred purchase commitments. Where we rely on a limited number of suppliers or a single supplier, the risk of supplier loss due to industry consolidation or a decline in financial performance is increased. Some of our suppliers may also be competitors in other areas of our business, which could lead to difficulties in price negotiations or meeting our supply requirements.

Public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have had, and could in the future have, a negative effect on our business.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted and future public health crises, including resurgences of COVID-19 may negatively impact our workforce and operations in the future, as well as those of our strategic partners, customers, suppliers and logistics providers. The impacts we experienced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic included temporary closures of certain manufacturing facilities; under-absorbed overhead; increased logistics, component and other costs; decreased demand for our products; and manufacturing challenges. Future outbreaks of infectious disease or other public health crises may have similar impacts.

The effects of public health crises are uncertain and difficult to predict, but may include:

•Disruptions to our supply chain, our operations or those of our strategic partners, customers or suppliers caused by employees or others contracting infectious diseases, or by governmental orders to contain the spread of infectious disease, such as travel restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place orders, trade controls and business shutdowns;

•Deterioration of worldwide credit markets that may limit our ability or increase our cost to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures and result in a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivables due to customer credit defaults;

•Extreme volatility in financial markets, which may harm our ability to access the financial markets on acceptable terms;

•Increased data security and technology risk as some employees work from home, including possible outages to systems and technologies critical to remote work and increased data privacy risk with cybercriminals attempting to take advantage of the disruption; and

•Reduced productivity or other disruptions of our operations if workers in our factories or our other worksites are exposed to or spread infectious diseases to other employees.

The degree to which any future public health crises, including resurgences of COVID-19, ultimately impact our business will depend on many factors beyond our control, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.

Our operations, and those of certain of our suppliers and customers, are subject to substantial risk of damage or disruption.

We conduct our operations at large, high-volume, purpose-built facilities in California and throughout Asia. The facilities of many of our customers, our suppliers and our customers’ suppliers are also concentrated in certain geographic locations throughout Asia and elsewhere. If a fire (including a climate change-related fire), flood, earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster, condition or event such as a power outage, contamination event, terrorist attack, cybersecurity incident, physical security breach, political instability, civil unrest, localized labor unrest or other employment issues, or a health epidemic

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negatively affects any of these facilities, it would significantly affect our ability to manufacture or sell our products and source components and would harm our business. Possible impacts include work and equipment stoppages and damage to or closure of our facilities, or those of our suppliers or customers, for an indefinite period of time. Climate change has in the past and is expected to continue to increase the incidence and severity of certain natural disasters, including wildfires and adverse weather events. In addition, the geographic concentration of our manufacturing sites could exacerbate the negative impacts resulting from any of these problems.

We may incur losses beyond the limits of, or outside the scope of, the coverage of our insurance policies. There can be no assurance that in the future we will be able to maintain existing insurance coverage or that premiums will not increase substantially. Due to market availability, pricing or other reasons, we may elect not to purchase insurance coverage or to purchase only limited coverage. We maintain limited insurance coverage and, in some cases, no coverage at all, for natural disasters and damage to our facilities, as these types of insurance are sometimes not available or available only at a prohibitive cost. Climate change may reduce the availability or increase the cost of certain types of insurance by contributing to an increase in the incidence and severity of certain natural disasters. We depend upon Kioxia to obtain and maintain sufficient property, business interruption and other insurance for Flash Ventures. If Kioxia fails to do so, we could suffer significant unreimbursable losses, and such failure could also cause Flash Ventures to breach various financing covenants.

The loss of our key management, staff and skilled employees; the inability to hire and develop new employees; or decisions to realign our business could negatively impact our business prospects.

Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our talent. Changes in our key management team can result in loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge, departure of other key employees, disruptions to our operations and inefficiency during transitional periods. Global competition for skilled employees in the technology industry is intense, and our business success is increasingly dependent on our ability to attract, develop and retain top talent; implement succession plans for key management and staff and replace aging skilled employees. Additionally, uncertainty about business realignment actions or the structure and organization of our business as a result of our ongoing strategic review could negatively impact our ability to recruit and retain key staff and skilled employees. Changes in immigration policies may also impair our ability to recruit and hire technical and professional talent.

Our ability to hire and retain employees also depends on our ability to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace culture and to fund competitive compensation and benefits, each of which contribute to being viewed as an employer of choice. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our key employees’ compensation is linked to the performance of our business, we may be at a competitive disadvantage for hiring and retaining talent when our operating results are negatively impacted. If we are unable to hire and retain key talent, our operating results would likely be harmed.

The compromise, damage or interruption of our technology infrastructure, systems or products by cyber incidents, data security breaches, other security problems, design defects or system failures could have a material negative impact on our business.

We experience cyber incidents of varying degrees on our technology infrastructure and systems and, as a result, unauthorized parties have obtained in the past, and may obtain in the future, access to our computer systems and networks, including cloud-based platforms. For example, an unauthorized third party gained access to a number of our systems in March 2023, which caused disruption to parts of our business operations and resulted in various investigation, recovery, and remediation expenses. In addition, the technology infrastructure and systems of some of our suppliers, vendors, service providers, cloud solution providers and partners have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, such incidents. Cyber incidents can be caused by ransomware, computer denial-of-service attacks, worms, and other malicious software programs or other attacks, including the covert introduction of malware to computers and networks, and the use of techniques or processes that change frequently, may be disguised or difficult to detect, or are designed to remain dormant until a triggering event, and may continue undetected for an extended period of time. Cyber incidents have in the past resulted from, and may in the future result from, social engineering or impersonation of authorized users, and may also result from efforts to discover and exploit any design flaws, bugs, security vulnerabilities or security weaknesses, intentional or unintentional acts by employees or other insiders with access privileges, intentional acts of vandalism or fraud by third parties and sabotage. In some instances, efforts to correct vulnerabilities or prevent incidents have in the past and may in the future reduce the functionality or performance of our computer systems and networks, which could negatively impact our business. We believe malicious cyber acts are increasing in number and that cyber threat actors are increasingly organized and well-financed or supported by state actors, and are developing increasingly sophisticated systems and means to not only infiltrate systems, but also to evade detection or to obscure their activities. Geopolitical tensions or conflicts may create heightened risk of cyber incidents.

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Our products are also targets for malicious cyber acts, including those products utilized in cloud-based environments as well as our cloud service offerings. Our cloud services have in the past and may in the future be taken offline as a result of or in order to prevent or mitigate cyber incidents. While some of our products contain encryption or security algorithms to protect third-party content or user-generated data stored on our products, these products could still be hacked or the encryption schemes could be compromised, breached, or circumvented by motivated and sophisticated attackers. Further, our products contain sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that may contain security problems, security vulnerabilities, or defects in design or manufacturing, including “bugs” and other problems that could interfere with the intended operation of our products. To the extent our products include design defects, suffer system failure or are hacked, or if the encryption schemes are compromised or breached, this could harm our business by requiring us to employ additional resources to fix the errors or defects, exposing us to litigation and indemnification claims and hurting our reputation.

If efforts to breach our infrastructure, systems or products are successful or we are unable to protect against these risks, we could suffer interruptions, delays, or cessation of operations of our systems, and loss or misuse of proprietary or confidential information, IP, or sensitive or personal information. For example, as a result of a network security incident in March 2023, an unauthorized party obtained a copy of a Western Digital database used for our online store that contained some personal information of our online store customers. Compromises of our infrastructure, systems or products could also cause our customers and other affected third parties to suffer loss or misuse of proprietary or confidential information, IP, or sensitive or personal information, and could harm our relationships with customers and other third parties and subject us to liability. As a result of actual or perceived breaches, we have in the past experienced and may in the future experience additional costs, notification requirements, civil and administrative fines and penalties, indemnification claims, litigation, or damage to our brand and reputation. All of these consequences could harm our reputation and our business and materially and negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.

We are subject to risks related to product defects, which could result in product recalls or epidemic failures and could subject us to warranty claims in excess of our warranty provisions or which are greater than anticipated, litigation or indemnification claims.

We warrant the majority of our products for periods of one to five years. We test our products in our manufacturing facilities through a variety of means. However, our testing may fail to reveal defects in our products that may not become apparent until after the products have been sold into the market. In addition, our products may be used in a manner that is not intended or anticipated by us, resulting in potential liability. Accordingly, there is a risk that product defects will occur, including as a result of third-party components or applications that we incorporate in our products, which could require a product recall. Product recalls can be expensive to implement. As part of a product recall, we may be required or choose to replace the defective product. Moreover, there is a risk that product defects may trigger an epidemic failure clause in a customer agreement. If an epidemic failure occurs, we may be required to replace or refund the value of the defective product and to cover certain other costs associated with the consequences of the epidemic failure. In addition, product defects, product recalls or epidemic failures may cause damage to our reputation or customer relationships, lost revenue, indemnification for a recall of our customers’ products, warranty claims, litigation or loss of market share with our customers, including our OEM and original design manufacturer (“ODM”) customers. Our business liability insurance may be inadequate or future coverage may be unavailable on acceptable terms, which could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.

Our standard warranties contain limits on damages and exclusions of liability for consequential damages and for misuse, improper installation, alteration, accident or mishandling while in the possession of someone other than us. We record an accrual for estimated warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized. We may incur additional expenses if our warranty provisions do not reflect the actual cost of resolving issues related to defects in our products, whether as a result of a product recall, epidemic failure or otherwise. If these additional expenses are significant, they could harm our business.

BUSINESS AND STRATEGIC RISKS

Our review of potential strategic alternatives may not result in an executed or consummated transaction or other strategic alternative, and the process of reviewing strategic alternatives or its conclusion could adversely affect our business and our stockholders.

In June 2022, we announced that we are reviewing potential strategic alternatives aimed at further optimizing long-term value for our stockholders. The potential strategic alternatives include, among other things, the option to separate our Flash and HDD business units. We are actively working with financial advisors and the Company’s legal counsel in this strategic review process.

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Any potential transaction or other strategic alternative would be dependent on a number of factors that may be beyond our control, including, among other things, market conditions, industry trends, regulatory approvals, and the availability of financing for a potential transaction on reasonable terms. The process of reviewing potential strategic alternatives is time consuming and may be distracting and disruptive to our business operations and long-term planning, which may cause concern to our current or potential customers, employees, investors, strategic partners and other constituencies and may have a material impact on our business and operating results or result in increased volatility in our share price. We have and will continue to incur substantial expenses associated with identifying, evaluating and negotiating potential strategic alternatives. There can be no assurance that any potential transaction or other strategic alternative, if consummated, will provide greater value to our stockholders than that reflected in the current price of our common stock. Until the review process is concluded, perceived uncertainties related to our future may result in the loss of potential business opportunities, volatility in the market price of our common stock and difficulty attracting and retaining qualified talent and business partners. Similarly, activist investors may engage in proxy solicitations or advance shareholder proposals, or otherwise attempt to affect changes and assert influence on our Board and management, which could lead to the impacts on our business, board, management and employees discussed above.

We rely substantially on strategic relationships with various partners, including Kioxia, which subjects us to risks and uncertainties that could harm our business.

We have entered into and expect to continue to enter into strategic relationships with various partners for product development, manufacturing, sales growth and the supply of technologies, components, equipment and materials for use in our product design and manufacturing, including our business ventures with Kioxia. We depend on Flash Ventures for the development and manufacture of flash-based memory. Our strategic relationships, including Flash Ventures, are subject to various risks that could harm the value of our investments, our revenue and costs, our future rate of spending, our technology plans and our future growth opportunities.

Substantially all of our flash-based memory is supplied by Flash Ventures, which limits our ability to respond to market demand and supply changes and makes our financial results particularly susceptible to variations from our forecasts and expectations. A failure to accurately forecast supply and demand could cause us to over-invest or under-invest in technology transitions or the expansion of Flash Ventures’ capacity. Over-investment by us or our competitors could result in excess supply, which could cause significant decreases in our product prices, significant excess, obsolete inventory or inventory write-downs or underutilization charges, and the potential impairment of our investments in Flash Ventures. We are contractually obligated to pay for 50% of the fixed costs of Flash Ventures regardless of whether we order any flash-based memory, and our orders placed with Flash Ventures on a three-month rolling basis are binding. On the other hand, if we under-invest in Flash Ventures, or otherwise grow or transition Flash Ventures’ capacity too slowly, we may not have enough supply of flash-based memory, or the right type of flash-based memory, to meet demand on a timely and cost effective basis, and we may lose opportunities for revenue, gross margin and market share as a result. If our supply is limited, we might make strategic decisions with respect to the allocation of our supply among our products and customers, which could result in less favorable gross margins or damage customer relationships.

Our control over the operations of our business ventures may be limited, and our interests could diverge from our strategic partners’ interests regarding ongoing and future activities. For example, under the Flash Ventures agreements, we cannot unilaterally direct most of Flash Ventures’ activities, and we have limited ability to source or fabricate flash outside of Flash Ventures. Flash Ventures requires significant investments by both Kioxia and us for technology transitions and capacity expansions, and our business could be harmed if our technology roadmap and investment plans are not sufficiently aligned with Kioxia’s. Lack of alignment with Kioxia with respect to Flash Ventures could negatively impact our ability to react quickly to changes in the market, or to stay at the forefront of technological advancement. Misalignment could arise due to changes in Kioxia’s strategic priorities, management, ownership or access to capital, which have changed in recent years and could continue to change. Kioxia’s stakeholders may include, or have included in the past, competitors, customers, a private equity firm, government entities or public stockholders. Kioxia’s management changes, ownership and capital structure could lead to delays in decision-making, disputes or changes in strategic direction that could negatively impact the strategic partnership, and therefore us. There may exist conflicts of interest between Kioxia’s stakeholders and Flash Ventures or us with respect to, among other things, protecting and growing Flash Ventures’ business, IP and competitively sensitive confidential information.

Together with Kioxia, we fund a portion of the investments required for Flash Ventures through lease financings. Continued availability of lease financings for Flash Ventures is not guaranteed and could be limited by several factors, including investor capacity and risk allocation policies, our or Kioxia’s financial performance and changes to our or Kioxia’s

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business, ownership or corporate structure. To the extent that lease financings are not accessible on favorable terms or at all, more cash would be required to fund investments.

Our strategic relationships are subject to additional risks that could harm our business, including, but not limited to, the following:

•failure by our strategic partners to comply with applicable laws or employ effective internal controls;

•difficulties and delays in product and technology development at, ramping production at, and transferring technology to, our strategic partners;

•declining financial performance of our strategic partners, including failure by our strategic partners to timely fund capital investments with us or otherwise meet their commitments, including paying amounts owed to us or third parties when due;

•we may lose the rights to, or ability to independently manufacture, certain technology or products being developed or manufactured by strategic partners, including if any of them is acquired by another company, files for bankruptcy or experiences financial or other losses;

•a bankruptcy event involving a strategic partner could result in structural changes to or termination of the strategic partnership; and

•changes in tax or regulatory requirements may necessitate changes to the agreements governing our strategic partnerships.

We participate in a highly competitive industry that is subject to declining average selling prices (“ASPs”), volatile demand, rapid technological change and industry consolidation, as well as lengthy product qualifications, all of which can negatively impact our business.

Demand for our devices, software and solutions, which we refer to in this Item 1A as our “products”, depends in large part on the demand for systems manufactured by our customers and on storage upgrades to existing systems. The demand for systems has been volatile in the past and often has had an exaggerated effect on the demand for our products in any given period. Demand for and prices of our products are influenced by, among other factors, actual and projected data growth, the balance between supply and demand in the storage market, including the effects of new fab capacity, macroeconomic factors, business conditions, technology transitions and other actions taken by us or our competitors. The storage market has recently experienced, and may continue to experience, periods of excess capacity leading to liquidation of excess inventories, inventory write-downs, significant reductions in ASPs and negative impacts on our revenue and gross margins, and volatile product life cycles that harm our ability to recover the cost of product development.

Further, our ASPs and gross margins tend to decline when there is a shift in the mix of product sales to lower priced products. We face potential gross margin pressures resulting from our ASPs declining more rapidly than our cost of revenue. Rapid technological changes often reduce the volume and profitability of sales of existing products and increase the risk of inventory obsolescence and write-downs. Finally, the data storage industry has experienced consolidation over the past several years, which could enhance the resources and lower the cost structure of some competitors. These factors could result in a substantial decrease in our market share and harm our business.

As we compete in new product areas, the overall complexity of our business may increase and may result in increases in R&D expenses and substantial investments in manufacturing capability, technology enhancements and go-to-market capability. We must also qualify our products with customers through potentially lengthy testing processes with uncertain results. Some of our competitors offer products that we do not offer, which may allow them to win sales from us, and some of our customers may be developing storage solutions internally, which may reduce their demand for our products. We expect that competition will continue to be intense, and our competitors may be able to gain a product offering or cost structure advantage over us, which would harm our business. Further, our competitors may utilize pricing strategies, including offering products at prices at or below cost, that we may be unable to competitively match. We may also have difficulty effectively competing with manufacturers benefiting from governmental investments and may be subject to increased complexity and reduced efficiency in our supply chain as a result of governmental efforts to promote domestic semiconductor industries in various jurisdictions.

If we do not properly manage technology transitions and product development and introduction, our competitiveness and operating results may be negatively affected.

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The markets for our products continuously undergo technology transitions that can impact our product roadmaps and that we must anticipate in order to adapt our existing products or develop new products effectively. If we fail to adapt to or implement new technologies or develop new products desired by our customers quickly and cost-effectively, or if technology transitions negatively impact our existing product roadmaps, our business may be harmed.

In addition, the success of our technology transitions and product development depends on a number of other factors, including:

•R&D expenses and results;

•difficulties faced in manufacturing ramp;

•market acceptance/qualification;

•effective management of inventory levels in line with anticipated product demand;

•the vertical integration of some of our products, which may result in more capital expenditures and greater fixed costs than if we were not vertically integrated;

•our ability to cost effectively respond to customer requests for new products or features (including requests for more efficient and efficiently-produced products with reduced environmental impacts) and software associated with our products;

•our ability to increase our software development capability; and

•the effectiveness of our go-to-market capability in selling new products.

Moving to new technologies and products may require us to align to, and build, a new supply base. Our success in new product areas may depend on our ability to enter into favorable supply agreements. In addition, if our customers choose to delay transition to new technologies, if demand for the products that we develop is lower than expected or if the supporting technologies to implement these new technologies are not available, we may be unable to achieve the cost structure required to support our profit objectives or may be unable to grow or maintain our market position.

Additionally, new technologies could impact demand for our products in unforeseen or unexpected ways and new products could substitute for our current products and make them obsolete, each of which would harm our business. We also develop products to meet certain industry and technical standards, which may change and cause us to incur substantial costs as we adapt to new standards or invest in different manufacturing processes to remain competitive.

We experience sales seasonality and cyclicality, which could cause our operating results to fluctuate. In addition, accurately forecasting demand has become more difficult, which could harm our business.

Sales of many of our products tend to be seasonal and subject to supply-demand cycles. Changes in seasonal and cyclical supply and demand patterns have made it, and could continue to make it, more difficult for us to forecast demand. Changes in the product or channel mix of our business can also impact seasonal and cyclical patterns. For example, we often ship a high percentage of our total quarterly sales in the third month of the quarter, which makes it difficult for us to forecast our financial results before the end of each quarter. As a result of the above or other factors, our forecast of financial results for a given quarter may differ materially from our actual financial results.

The variety and volume of products we manufacture are based in part on accurately forecasting market and customer demand for our products. Accurately forecasting demand has become increasingly difficult for us, our customers and our suppliers due to volatility in global economic conditions, end market dynamics and industry consolidation, resulting in less availability of historical market data for certain product segments. Further, for many of our OEM customers utilizing just-in-time inventory, we do not generally require firm order commitments and instead receive a periodic forecast of requirements, which may prove to be inaccurate. In addition, because our products are designed to be largely interchangeable with competitors’ products, our demand forecasts may be impacted significantly by the strategic actions of our competitors. As forecasting demand becomes more difficult, the risk that our forecasts are not in line with demand increases. This has caused, and may in the future cause, our forecasts to exceed actual market demand, resulting in periods of product oversupply, excess inventory, asset underutilization and price decreases, which has impacted and could further impact our sales, ASPs and gross

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margin, thereby negatively affecting our operating results and our financial condition. If market demand increases significantly beyond our forecasts or beyond our ability to add manufacturing capacity, then we may not be able to satisfy customer product needs, possibly resulting in a loss of market share if our competitors are able to meet customer demands. In addition, some of our components have long lead-times, requiring us to place orders several months in advance of anticipated demand. Such long lead-times increase the risk of excess inventory, potentially resulting in inventory write-downs, or loss of sales in the event our forecasts vary substantially from actual demand.

Failure to successfully execute on strategic initiatives including acquisitions, divestitures or cost saving measures may negatively impact our future results.

We have made and expect to continue to make acquisitions and divestitures, and engage in cost saving measures. Acquisitions of, investment opportunities in, or other significant transactions with companies that are complementary to our business are an important part of our overall business strategy. In order to pursue this part of our growth strategy successfully, we must continue to identify attractive acquisition or investment opportunities, successfully complete the transactions, some of which may be large and complex, and manage post-closing issues such as integration of the acquired company or employees and integration of processes and systems. We may not be able to continue to identify or complete appealing acquisition or investment opportunities given the intense competition for these transactions. Even if we identify and complete suitable corporate transactions, we may not be able to successfully address any integration challenges in a timely manner, or at all. There have been and may continue to be difficulties with implementing new systems and processes or with integrating systems and processes of companies with complex operations, which can result in inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies and may increase the risk that our internal controls are found to be ineffective.

Failing to successfully integrate or realign our business to take advantage of efficiencies or reduce redundancies of an acquisition may result in not realizing all or any of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. In addition, failing to achieve the financial model projections for an acquisition or changes in technology development and related roadmaps following an acquisition may result in the incurrence of impairment charges (including goodwill impairments or other asset write-downs) and other expenses, both of which could negatively impact our results of operations or financial condition. Acquisitions and investments may also result in the issuance of equity securities that may be dilutive to our stockholders as well as earn-out or other contingent consideration payments and the issuance of additional indebtedness that would put additional pressure on liquidity. Furthermore, we may agree to provide continuing service obligations or enter into other agreements in order to obtain certain regulatory approvals of our corporate transactions, and failure to satisfy these additional obligations could result in our failing to obtain regulatory approvals or the imposition of additional obligations on us, any of which could negatively affect our business. In addition, new legislation or additional regulations may affect or impair our ability to invest with or in certain other countries or require us to obtain regulatory approvals to do so, including investments in joint ventures, minority investments and outbound technology transfers to certain countries.

Cost saving measures, restructurings and divestitures may result in workforce reduction and consolidation of our manufacturing or other facilities. As a result of these actions, we may experience a loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge, disruptions to our operations and inefficiency during transitional periods. These actions could also impact employee retention. In addition, we cannot be sure that these actions will be as successful in reducing our overall expenses as we expect, that additional costs will not offset any such reductions or consolidations or that we do not forego future business opportunities as a result of these actions.

Loss of revenue from a key customer, or consolidation among our customer base, could harm our operating results.

Historically, nearly one half of our total revenue came from sales to our top 10 customers. These customers have a variety of suppliers to choose from and therefore can make substantial demands on us, including demands on product pricing, contractual terms and the environmental impact and attributes of our products, often resulting in the allocation of risk or increased costs to us as the supplier. Our ability to maintain strong relationships with our principal customers is essential to our future performance. We have experienced and may in the future experience events such as the loss of a key customer, prohibition or restriction of sales to a key customer by law, regulation or other government action, reductions in sales to or orders by a key customer, customer requirements to reduce our prices before we are able to reduce costs or the acquisition of a key customer by one of our competitors. These events have impacted, and may in the future impact, our operating results and financial condition. Further, government authorities may implement laws or regulations or take other actions that could result in significant changes to the business or operating models of our customers. Such changes could negatively impact our operating results.

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Additionally, if there is consolidation among our customer base, our customers may be able to command increased leverage in negotiating prices and other terms of sale, which could negatively impact our profitability. Consolidation among our customer base may also lead to reduced demand for our products, increased customer pressure on our prices, replacement of our products by the combined entity with those of our competitors and cancellations of orders, each of which could harm our operating results.

Also, the storage ecosystem is constantly evolving, and our traditional customer base is changing. Fewer companies now hold greater market share for certain applications and services, such as cloud storage and computing platforms, mobile, social media, shopping and streaming media. As a result, the competitive landscape is changing, giving these companies increased leverage in negotiating prices and other terms of sale, which could negatively impact our profitability. In addition, the changes in our evolving customer base create new selling and distribution patterns to which we must adapt. To remain competitive, we must respond to these changes by ensuring we have proper scale in this evolving market, as well as offer products that meet the technological requirements of this customer base at competitive pricing points. To the extent we are not successful in adequately responding to these changes, our operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

Sales in the distribution channel and to the retail market are important to our business, and if we fail to respond to demand changes within these markets, or maintain and grow our applicable market share, our business could suffer.

Our distribution customers typically sell to small computer manufacturers, dealers, systems integrators and other resellers. We face significant competition in this channel as a result of limited product qualification programs and a significant focus on price and availability of product. As a result of the shift to mobile devices, more computing devices are being delivered to the market as complete systems, which could weaken the distribution market. If we fail to respond to changes in demand in the distribution market, our business could suffer. Additionally, if the distribution market weakens as a result of technology transitions or a significant change in consumer buying preference, or if we experience significant price declines due to demand changes in the distribution channel, our operating results would be negatively impacted. Negative changes in the creditworthiness or the ability to access credit, or the bankruptcy or shutdown of any of our significant retail or distribution partners would harm our revenue and our ability to collect outstanding receivable balances.

A significant portion of our sales is also made through retailers. Our success in the retail market depends in large part on our ability to maintain our brand image and corporate reputation and to expand into and gain market acceptance of our products in multiple retail market channels. Particularly in the retail market, negative publicity, whether or not justified, or allegations of product or service quality issues, even if false or unfounded, could damage our reputation and cause our customers to choose products offered by our competitors. Further, changes to the retail environment, such as store closures caused by macroeconomic conditions or changing customer preferences, may reduce the demand for our products. If customers no longer maintain a preference for our product brands or if our retailers are not successful in selling our products, our operating results may be negatively impacted.

FINANCIAL RISKS

Our level of debt may negatively impact our liquidity, restrict our operations and ability to respond to business opportunities, and increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions.

We utilize debt financing in our capital structure and may incur additional debt, including under our revolving credit facility subject to customary conditions in our loan agreements. Our level of debt could have significant consequences, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

•limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;

•requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes;

•imposing financial and other restrictive covenants on our operations, including minimum liquidity and free cash flow requirements and limitations on our ability to (i) declare or pay dividends or repurchase shares of our common stock; (ii) purchase assets, make investments, complete acquisitions, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell all or substantially all of our assets to, another person; (iii) enter into sale/leaseback transactions or certain transactions with affiliates; (iv) incur additional indebtedness and (v) incur liens; and

•making us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limiting our ability to withstand competitive pressures or take advantage of new opportunities to grow our business.

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Our ability to meet our debt service obligations, comply with our debt covenants and deleverage depends on our cash flows and financial performance, which are affected by financial, business, economic and other factors. The rate at which we will be able to or choose to deleverage is uncertain. Failure to meet our debt service obligations or comply with our debt covenants could result in an event of default under the applicable indebtedness. We may be unable to cure, or obtain a waiver of, an event of default or otherwise amend our debt agreements to prevent an event of default thereunder on terms acceptable to us or at all. In that event, the debt holders could accelerate the related debt, which may result in the cross-acceleration or cross-default of other debt, leases or other obligations. If we do not have sufficient funds available to repay indebtedness when due, whether at maturity or by acceleration, we may be required to sell important strategic assets; refinance our existing debt; incur additional debt or issue common stock or other equity securities, which we may not be able to do on terms acceptable to us, in amounts sufficient to meet our needs or at all. Our inability to service our debt obligations or refinance our debt could harm our business. Further, if we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our secured indebtedness, the holder of such debt could proceed against the collateral securing the indebtedness. Refinancing our indebtedness may also require us to expense previous debt issuance costs or to incur new debt issuance costs.

As our bank debt contains a variable interest rate component based on our corporate credit ratings, a decline in our ratings could result in increased interest rates and debt service obligations. In addition, our ratings impact the cost and availability of future borrowings and, accordingly, our cost of capital. Our ratings reflect the opinions of the ratings agencies as to our financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet our debt obligations. There can be no assurance that we will achieve a particular rating or maintain a particular rating in the future.

We also guarantee a significant amount of lease obligations of Flash Ventures owed to third parties. Flash Ventures sells to and leases back a portion of its equipment from a consortium of financial institutions. Most of the lease obligations are guaranteed 50% by us and 50% by Kioxia. Some of the lease obligations are guaranteed in full by us. The leases are subject to customary covenants and cancellation events that relate to Flash Ventures and each of the guarantors. If a cancellation event were to occur, Flash Ventures would be required to negotiate a resolution with the other parties to the lease transactions to avoid cancellation and acceleration of the lease obligations. Such resolution could include, among other things, supplementary security to be supplied by us, increased interest rates or waiver fees. If a resolution is not reached, we may be required to pay all of the outstanding lease obligations covered by our guarantees, which would significantly reduce our cash position and may force us to seek additional financing, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

We may from time to time seek to further refinance our substantial indebtedness by issuing additional shares of common stock or other securities that are convertible into common stock or grant the holder the right to purchase common stock, each of which may dilute our existing stockholders, reduce the value of our common stock, or both.

Tax matters may materially affect our financial position and results of operations.

Changes in tax laws in the United States, the European Union and around the globe have impacted and will continue to impact our effective worldwide tax rate, which may materially affect our financial position and results of operations. Further, the majority of countries in the G20 and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) have agreed to adopt a two-pillar approach to taxation, which includes the implementation of a global corporate minimum tax rate of 15%, which when effective could materially increase our tax obligations in these countries. Due to the large scale of our U.S. and international business activities, many of these enacted and proposed changes to the taxation of our activities, including cash movements, could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our business. Beginning in our fiscal year 2023, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the option to deduct research and development expenditures in the year incurred, requiring amortization in accordance with IRC Section 174. Depending on our operating results, this requirement could materially increase our effective tax rate and reduce our operating cash flows. Additionally, portions of our operations are subject to a reduced tax rate or are free of tax under various tax holidays that expire in whole or in part from time to time, or may be terminated if certain conditions are not met. Although many of these holidays may be extended when certain conditions are met, we may not be able to meet such conditions. If the tax holidays are not extended, or if we fail to satisfy the conditions of the reduced tax rate, then our effective tax rate could increase in the future.

Our determination of our tax liability in the U.S. and other jurisdictions is subject to review by applicable domestic and foreign tax authorities. For example, as disclosed in Part I, Item 1, Note 14, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for certain fiscal years. Although we believe our tax positions are properly supported, the final timing and resolution of any tax examinations are subject to significant uncertainty and could result in litigation or the payment of significant amounts to the

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applicable tax authority in order to resolve examination of our tax positions, which could result in an increase of our current estimate of unrecognized tax benefits and may harm our business.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates as a result of our international operations may negatively affect our operating results.

Because we manufacture and sell our products abroad, our revenue, cost of revenue, margins, operating costs and cash flows are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. If the U.S. dollar exhibits sustained weakness against most foreign currencies, the U.S. dollar equivalents of unhedged manufacturing costs could increase because a significant portion of our production costs are foreign-currency denominated. Conversely, there would not be an offsetting impact to revenues since revenues are substantially U.S. dollar denominated. Additionally, we negotiate and procure some of our component requirements in U.S. dollars from non-U.S. based vendors. If the U.S. dollar weakens against other foreign currencies, some of our component suppliers may increase the price they charge for their components in order to maintain an equivalent profit margin. In addition, our purchases of flash-based memory from Flash Ventures and our investment in Flash Ventures are denominated in Japanese yen. If the Japanese yen appreciates against the U.S. dollar, our cost of purchasing flash-based memory wafers and the cost to us of future capital funding of Flash Ventures would increase. When such events occur, they have had, and may in the future have, a negative impact on our business.

Prices for our products are substantially U.S. dollar denominated, even when sold to customers that are located outside the U.S. Therefore, as a substantial portion of our sales are from countries outside the U.S., fluctuations in currency exchanges rates, most notably the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies, contribute to variations in sales of products in impacted jurisdictions and could negatively impact demand and revenue growth. In addition, currency variations can adversely affect margins on sales of our products in countries outside the U.S.

We attempt to manage the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes by, among other things, entering into short-term foreign exchange contracts. However, these contracts may not cover our full exposure, and can be canceled by the counterparty if currency controls are put in place. Thus, our decisions and hedging strategy with respect to currency risks may not be successful and may actually harm our operating results. Further, the ability to enter into foreign exchange contracts with financial institutions is based upon our available credit from such institutions and compliance with covenants and other restrictions. Operating losses, third party downgrades of our credit rating or instability in the worldwide financial markets could impact our ability to effectively manage our foreign currency exchange rate risk. Hedging also exposes us to the credit risk of our counterparty financial institutions.

Increases in our customers’ credit risk could result in credit losses and term extensions under existing contracts with customers with credit losses could result in an increase in our operating costs.

Some of our OEM customers have adopted a subcontractor model that requires us to contract directly with companies, such as ODMs, that provide manufacturing and fulfillment services to our OEM customers. Because these subcontractors are generally not as well capitalized as our direct OEM customers, this subcontractor model exposes us to increased credit risks. Our agreements with our OEM customers may not permit us to increase our product prices to alleviate this increased credit risk. Additionally, as we attempt to expand our OEM and distribution channel sales into emerging economies, the customers with the most success in these regions may have relatively short operating histories, making it more difficult for us to accurately assess the associated credit risks. Our customers’ credit risk may also be exacerbated by an economic downturn or other adverse global or regional economic conditions. Any credit losses we may suffer as a result of these increased risks, or as a result of credit losses from any significant customer, especially in situations where there are term extensions under existing contracts with such customers, would increase our operating costs, which may negatively impact our operating results.

LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE RISKS

We are subject to laws, rules, and regulations relating to the collection, use, sharing, and security of data, including personal data, and our failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations could subject us to proceedings by governmental entities or others and cause us to incur penalties, significant legal liability, or loss of customers, loss of revenue, and reputational harm.

We are subject to laws, rules, and regulations relating to the collection, use, and security and privacy of third-party data including data that relates to or identifies an individual person. In many cases, these laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us and our subsidiaries, and among us, our subsidiaries and other parties with which we have commercial relations. Our possession and use of third-party data, including personal data and

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employee data in conducting our business, subjects us to legal and regulatory burdens that require us to notify vendors, customers or employees or other parties with which we have commercial relations of a data security breach and to respond to regulatory inquiries and to enforcement proceedings. Laws and regulations relating to the collection, use, security and privacy of third-party data change over time and new laws and regulations become effective from time to time. We are subject to notice and privacy policy requirements, as well as obligations to respond to requests to know and access personal information, correct personal information, delete personal information and say no to the sale of personal information. Global privacy and data protection legislation, enforcement, and policy activity in this area are rapidly expanding and evolving, and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We may also be subject to restrictions on cross-border data transfers and requirements for localized storage of data that could increase our compliance costs and risks and affect the ability of our global operations to coordinate activities and respond to customers. Compliance requirements and even our inadvertent failure to comply with applicable laws may cause us to incur substantial costs, subject us to proceedings by governmental entities or others, and cause us to incur penalties or other significant legal liability, or lead us to change our business practices.

We are subject to state, federal and international legal and regulatory requirements, such as environmental, labor, health and safety, trade and public-company reporting and disclosure regulations, customers’ standards of corporate citizenship, and industry and coalition standards, such as those established by the Responsible Business Alliance (“RBA”), and compliance with those regulations and requirements could cause an increase in our operating costs and failure to comply may harm our business.

We are subject to, and may become subject to additional, state, federal and international laws and regulations governing our environmental, labor, trade, health and safety practices and public-company reporting and disclosures requirements. These laws and regulations, particularly those applicable to our international operations, are or may be complex, extensive and subject to change. We will need to ensure that we and our suppliers, customers and partners timely comply with such laws and regulations, which may result in an increase in our operating costs. Legislation has been, and may in the future be, enacted in locations where we manufacture or sell our products, which could impair our ability to conduct business in certain jurisdictions or with certain customers and harm our operating results. In addition, climate change and financial reform legislation is a significant topic of discussion and has generated and may continue to generate federal, international or other regulatory responses in the near future, which could substantially increase the complexity of our public-company reporting and disclosure requirements and our compliance and operating costs. If we or our suppliers, customers or partners fail to timely comply with applicable legislation, certain customers may refuse to purchase our products or we may face increased operating costs as a result of taxes, fines or penalties, or legal liability and reputational damage, which could harm our business.

In connection with our compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as our compliance with industry and coalition environmental initiatives, such as those established by the RBA, the standards of business conduct required by some of our customers, and our commitment to sound corporate citizenship in all aspects of our business, we could incur substantial compliance and operating costs and be subject to disruptions to our operations and logistics. In addition, if we or our suppliers, customers or partners were found to be in violation of these laws or noncompliant with these initiatives or standards of conduct, we could be subject to governmental fines, liability to our customers and damage to our reputation and corporate brand, which could cause our financial condition and operating results to suffer.

Our aspirations, disclosures, and actions related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters expose us to risks that could adversely affect our reputation and performance.

There is an increased focus from investors, customers, associates, business partners and other stakeholders concerning ESG matters, and we announce initiatives and goals related to ESG matters from time to time, including renewable energy and net zero emissions commitments. These statements reflect our current plans and aspirations and are not guarantees that we will be able to achieve them. Our ability to achieve any ESG objective is subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside of our control, including the availability and cost of alternative energy sources; the evolving regulatory and reporting requirements affecting ESG practices and disclosures; the locations and usage of our products and the implications on their greenhouse gas emissions; and the successful execution of our strategy. Our failure to accomplish or accurately track and report on these goals on a timely basis, or at all, and the potential added costs involved, could adversely affect our reputation; financial performance and growth; our ability to attract or retain talent; and our attractiveness as a business partner or supplier, and could expose us to increased litigation risk, as well as increased scrutiny from the investment community and enforcement authorities.

We and certain of our officers are at times involved in litigation, investigations and governmental proceedings, which may be costly, may divert the efforts of our key personnel and could result in adverse court rulings, fines or penalties, which could materially harm our business.

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From time to time, we are involved in litigation, including antitrust and commercial matters, putative securities class action suits and other actions. We are the plaintiff in some of these actions and the defendant in others. Some of the actions seek injunctive relief, including injunctions against the sale of our products, and substantial monetary damages, which if granted or awarded, could materially harm our business. From time to time, we may also be the subject of inquiries, requests for information, investigations and actions by government and regulatory agencies regarding our businesses. Any such matters could result in material adverse consequences to our results of operations, financial condition or ability to conduct our business, including fines, penalties or restrictions on our business activities.

Litigation is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. In the event of an adverse outcome in any litigation, investigation or governmental proceeding, we could be required to pay substantial damages, fines or penalties and cease certain practices or activities, including the manufacture, use and sale of products. With or without merit, such matters can be complex, can extend for a protracted period of time, can be very expensive and the expense can be unpredictable. Litigation initiated by us could also result in counter-claims against us, which could increase the costs associated with the litigation and result in our payment of damages or other judgments against us. In addition, litigation, investigations or governmental proceedings and any related publicity may divert the efforts and attention of some of our key personnel, affect demand for our products and harm the market prices of our securities.

We may be obligated to indemnify our current or former directors or employees, or former directors or employees of companies that we have acquired, in connection with litigation, investigations or governmental proceedings. These liabilities could be substantial and may include, among other things: the costs of defending lawsuits against these individuals; the cost of defending shareholder derivative suits; the cost of governmental, law enforcement or regulatory investigations or proceedings; civil or criminal fines and penalties; legal and other expenses; and expenses associated with the remedial measures, if any, which may be imposed.

The nature of our industry and its reliance on IP and other proprietary information subjects us and our suppliers, customers and partners to the risk of significant litigation.

The data storage industry has been characterized by significant litigation. This includes litigation relating to patent and other IP rights, product liability claims and other types of litigation. We have historically been involved in frequent disputes regarding patent and other IP rights, and we have in the past received, and we may in the future receive, communications from third parties asserting that certain of our products, processes or technologies infringe upon their patent rights, copyrights, trademark rights or other IP rights. We may also receive claims of potential infringement if we attempt to license IP to others. IP risks increase when we enter into new markets where we have little or no IP protection as a defense against litigation. The complexity of the technology involved and the uncertainty of IP litigation increase the IP risks we face. Litigation can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of litigation are inherently uncertain and may result in adverse rulings or decisions. We may be subject to injunctions, enter into settlements or be subject to judgments that may harm our business.

If we incorporate third-party technology into our products or if claims or actions are asserted against us for alleged infringement of the IP of others, we may be required to obtain a license or cross-license, modify our existing technology or design a new non-infringing technology. Such licenses or design modifications can be extremely costly. We evaluate notices of alleged patent infringement and notices of patents from patent holders that we receive from time to time. We may decide to settle a claim or action against us, which settlement could be costly. We may also be liable for any past infringement. If there is an adverse ruling against us in an infringement lawsuit, an injunction could be issued barring production or sale of any infringing product. It could also result in a damage award equal to a reasonable royalty or lost profits or, if there is a finding of willful infringement, treble damages. Any of these results would increase our costs and harm our operating results. In addition, our suppliers, customers and partners are subject to similar risks of litigation, and a material, adverse ruling against a supplier, customer or partner could negatively impact our business.

Moreover, from time to time, we agree to indemnify certain of our suppliers and customers for alleged IP infringement. The scope of such indemnity varies but may include indemnification for direct and consequential damages and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. We may be engaged in litigation as a result of these indemnification obligations. Third party claims for patent infringement are excluded from coverage under our insurance policies. A future obligation to indemnify our customers or suppliers may harm our business.

Our reliance on IP and other proprietary information subjects us to the risk that these key components of our business could be copied by competitors.

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Our success depends, in significant part, on the proprietary nature of our technology, including non-patentable IP such as our process technology. We primarily rely on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as nondisclosure agreements and other methods, to protect our proprietary technologies and processes. There can be no assurance that our existing patents will continue to be held valid, if challenged, or that they will have sufficient scope or strength to protect us. It is also possible that competitors or other unauthorized third parties may obtain, copy, use or disclose, illegally or otherwise, our proprietary technologies and processes, despite our efforts to protect our proprietary technologies and processes. If a competitor is able to reproduce or otherwise capitalize on our technology despite the safeguards we have in place, it may be difficult, expensive or impossible for us to obtain necessary legal protection. There are entities whom we believe may infringe our IP. Enforcement of our rights often requires litigation. If we bring a patent infringement action and are not successful, our competitors would be able to use similar technology to compete with us. Moreover, the defendant in such an action may successfully countersue us for infringement of their patents or assert a counterclaim that our patents are invalid or unenforceable. Also, the laws of some foreign countries may not protect our IP to the same extent as do U.S. laws. In addition to patent protection of IP rights, we consider elements of our product designs and processes to be proprietary and confidential. We rely upon employee, consultant and vendor non-disclosure agreements and contractual provisions and a system of internal safeguards to protect our proprietary information. However, any of our registered or unregistered IP rights may be challenged or exploited by others in the industry, which could harm our operating results.

The success of our branded products depends in part on the positive image that consumers have of our brands. We believe the popularity of our brands makes them a target of counterfeiting or imitation, with third parties attempting to pass off counterfeit products as our products. Any occurrence of counterfeiting, imitation or confusion with our brands could negatively affect our reputation and impair the value of our brands, which in turn could negatively impact sales of our branded products, our share and our gross margin, as well as increase our administrative costs related to brand protection and counterfeit detection and prosecution.

The exclusive forum provisions in our Bylaws could limit our stockholders' ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers or other employees.

Our Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or the federal district court in the State of Delaware if the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction) is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine (the “Delaware Exclusive Forum Provision”). Our Bylaws further provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Federal Forum Provision”).

The Delaware Exclusive Forum Provision is intended to apply to claims arising under Delaware state law and would not apply to claims brought pursuant to the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, the Federal Forum Provision is intended to apply to claims arising under the Securities Act and would not apply to claims brought pursuant to the Exchange Act. The exclusive forum provisions in the Company’s Bylaws will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and, accordingly, actions by our stockholders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder must be brought in federal courts. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.

The exclusive forum provisions in the Company’s Bylaws may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with the company or its directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against the Company and its directors, officers and other employees. In addition, stockholders who do bring a claim in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Exclusive Forum Provision could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Delaware. The court in the designated forum under our exclusive forum provisions may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments or results may be more favorable to the Company than to our stockholders. Further, the enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find any of our exclusive forum provisions to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings. If a court were to find all or any part of our exclusive forum provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we might incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

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Item 2. Properties

Our principal executive offices are located in San Jose, California. Our leased facilities have contracts expiring at various times through 2034. Our principal manufacturing, R&D, marketing and administrative facilities as of June 30, 2023 were as follows:

Location

Buildings Owned or Leased

Approximate Square Footage

Description

United States

California

Fremont

Leased

295,000

HDD manufacturing of head wafers and R&D

Irvine

Leased

458,000

HDD R&D, administrative, marketing and sales

Milpitas

Owned

578,000

Flash R&D, marketing and sales, and administrative

San Jose

Owned

2,205,000

Manufacturing of head wafers, head, media and product development, R&D for Flash and HDD, administrative, marketing and sales

Colorado

Longmont

Leased

62,000

Flash R&D

Colorado Springs

Leased

54,000

HDD R&D

Minnesota

Rochester

Leased

156,000

Flash and HDD product development

Asia

China

Shanghai

Owned

914,000

Flash assembly and test of SSD

Shenzhen

Owned and Leased

563,000

HDD manufacturing of media

Japan

Fujisawa

Owned

661,000

HDD product development

Malaysia

Johor

Owned

277,000

HDD manufacturing of substrates

Kuala Lumpur

Owned

145,000

HDD R&D and administrative

Kuching

Owned

529,000

HDD manufacturing and development of substrates

Penang

Owned

1,889,000

Assembly and test of SSD, manufacturing of media, and R&D for Flash and HDD

Philippines

Laguna

Owned

632,000

HDD manufacturing of HGAs and slider fabrication

Thailand

Bang Pa-In

Owned and Leased

1,595,000

HDD slider fabrication, manufacturing of HDDs and HGAs, and R&D

Prachinburi

Owned

1,568,000

HDD manufacturing

India

Bangalore

Owned and Leased

1,260,000

Flash R&D and administrative

Middle East

Israel

Kfar Saba

Owned

167,000

Flash R&D

Tefen

Owned

72,000

Flash R&D

We also lease office space in various other locations throughout the world primarily for R&D, sales, operations, manufacturing, administration and technical support. We believe our present facilities are adequate for our current needs, although we update our facilities from time to time to meet anticipated future technological and market requirements. In general, new manufacturing facilities can be developed and become operational within approximately 12 to 24 months should we require such additional facilities.

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Substantially all of our flash-based memory wafers are manufactured by Kioxia in purpose-built, wafer fabrication facilities located in Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Japan.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

See Part II, Item 8, Note 14, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for disclosures regarding statutory notices of deficiency issued by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in June 2018 and December 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 further Amendments to Answers filed by the IRS in June 2021 and January 2022, and a tentative resolution with respect to such matters.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information for Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “WDC.” The approximate number of holders of record of our common stock as of August 4, 2023 was 855.

Dividends

In April 2020, we suspended our quarterly cash dividend. For more information about our dividend policy. see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Short- and Long-term Liquidity.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Hardware & Equipment Index for the five years ended June 30, 2023. The graph assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock at the close of market on June 29, 2018 and that all dividends were reinvested. Stockholder returns over the indicated period should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.

TOTAL RETURN TO STOCKHOLDERS

(Assumes $100 investment at market close on June 29, 2018)

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Total Return Analysis


	June 29, 2018		June 28, 2019		July 3, 2020		July 2, 2021		July 1, 2022		June 30, 2023
Western Digital Corporation	$	100.00	$	64.19	$	58.99	$	97.59	$	60.35	$	52.72
S&P 500 Index	$	100.00	$	110.42	$	118.70	$	167.13	$	149.39	$	178.66
Dow Jones U.S. Technology Hardware & Equipment Index	$	100.00	$	107.82	$	156.84	$	242.39	$	216.40	$	324.28

The stock performance graph shall not be deemed soliciting material or to be filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any past or future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically request that it be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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Item 6. [Reserved]

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Item 7. 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 Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See also “Forward-Looking Statements” immediately prior to Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our Company

We are on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. We are a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of data storage devices based on both NAND flash and hard disk drive technologies. With dedicated flash-based products (“Flash”) and hard disk drives (“HDD”) business units driving advancements in storage technologies, our broad and ever-expanding portfolio delivers powerful Flash and HDD storage solutions for everyone from students, gamers, and home offices to the largest enterprises and public clouds to capture, preserve, access, and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data.

Our broad portfolio of technology and products address our multiple end markets: “Cloud”, “Client” and “Consumer”. Cloud represents a large and growing end market comprised primarily of products for public or private cloud environments and enterprise customers, which we believe we are uniquely positioned to address as the only provider of both Flash and HDD. Through the Client end market, we provide our original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) and channel customers a broad array of high-performance flash and hard drive solutions across personal computer, mobile, gaming, automotive, virtual reality headsets, at-home entertainment, and industrial spaces. The Consumer end market is highlighted by our broad range of retail and other end-user products, which capitalize on the strength of our product brand recognition and vast points of presence around the world.

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 years 2023, 2022, and 2021, which ended on June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022, and July 2, 2021, respectively, each comprised 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks.

Key Developments

Network Security Incident

As previously disclosed, on March 26, 2023, we identified a network security incident in which an unauthorized third party gained access to a number of our systems. Upon discovery of the incident, we implemented incident response efforts, which included taking various systems and services offline as a proactive measure to secure our business operations and initiating an investigation with the assistance of leading outside security and forensic experts. In collaboration with outside forensic experts, we confirmed that an unauthorized party obtained a copy of a Western Digital database used for our online store that contained some personal information of our online store customers. This information included customer names, billing and shipping addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers. In addition, the database contained, in encrypted format, hashed and salted passwords and partial credit card numbers. We have provided notifications to impacted customers and relevant governmental authorities.

The incident, together with the incident response efforts discussed above, resulted in some disruptions to our business operations, including manufacturing, sales, fulfillment and general corporate activities. We were able to stabilize core operations after a short period of time and brought impacted systems back online in order of operational priority. The incident did not have a material impact on the financial results in 2023.

Investigation, recovery, and remediation expenses, including costs for forensics activities, third-party consulting and service providers, outside legal advisors, and other IT professionals, as a result of the network security incident were not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We maintain cyber insurance, subject to certain deductibles and policy limitations, typical for our size and industry.

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Strategic Alternatives

In June 2022, we announced that we are reviewing potential strategic alternatives aimed at further optimizing long-term value for stockholders. The Executive Committee of our Board of Directors is overseeing the assessment process and evaluating a range of alternatives, including options for separating our Flash and HDD business units. As of June 30, 2023, we are still actively working with financial advisors and our legal counsel in this strategic review process.

Tax Resolution

As disclosed in previous periods, we have received statutory notices of deficiency and notices of proposed adjustments from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to 2008 through 2015. During the third quarter of 2023, we and the IRS reached an agreement on the federal tax and interest calculations with respect to the years 2008 through 2012 and a tentative settlement for the years 2013 through 2015. Additional information is provided in our discussion of Income tax expense in our results of operations below, as well as in Part II, Item 8, Note 14, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and in the “Short- and Long-Term Liquidity - Unrecognized Tax Benefits” section below.

Financing Activities

In December 2022 and in June 2023, we amended the loan agreement governing our Term Loan A-2 and revolving credit facility to provide additional financial flexibility as we navigate through the current dynamic economic environment. The amendments modified our financial covenant requirements, including modifying the leverage ratio requirements, and introducing a minimum liquidity covenant applicable through the quarter ending September 27, 2024 and a minimum free cash flow requirement applicable through the quarter ending December 29, 2023.

The amendment also accelerates the due date for amounts outstanding under the loan agreement from January 7, 2027 to November 2, 2023 if, as of that date, our cash and cash equivalents plus available unused capacity under our credit facilities do not exceed by $1.40 billion the sum of the outstanding balance of our 1.50% convertible notes due 2024 plus the outstanding principal amount of any other debt maturing within twelve months.

In January 2023, we entered into a new delayed draw term loan agreement, which was then amended in June 2023. As amended, the agreement allowed us to draw a loan of up to $600 million which we exercised in full in August 2023 (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”). Borrowings on this loan will mature on June 28, 2024 or such earlier date that conditions for acceleration of amounts due under the loan agreement governing our Term Loan A-2 and revolving credit facility have been triggered as described above.

Also in January, 2023, we issued an aggregate of 900,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $900 million. We believe these transactions will provide us with greater financial flexibility to manage our business.

Additional information regarding our indebtedness, including the principal repayment terms, interest rates, covenants and other key terms of our outstanding indebtedness, and additional information on the terms of our convertible preferred shares is included in Part II, Item 8, Note 8, Debt, and Note 13, Shareholders’ Equity and Convertible Preferred Stock, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Operational Update

Macroeconomic factors such as inflation, higher interest rates and recession concerns have softened demand for our products, with certain customers reducing purchases as they adjust their production levels and right-size their inventories. As a result, we and our industry are experiencing a supply-demand imbalance, which has resulted in reduced shipments and negatively impacted pricing, particularly in Flash. While supply-demand imbalance has somewhat stabilized beginning in the third quarter of 2023, particularly in Client and Consumer, we continue to face a dynamic market environment. To adapt to these conditions, since the beginning of 2023, we have scaled back on capital expenditures, consolidated production lines and reduced bit growth to align with market demand and implemented measures to reduce operating expenses. This has resulted in incremental charges for employee termination, asset impairment and other charges and manufacturing underutilization charges in Flash and HDD in 2023, and is expected to impact near-term results. However, we believe digital transformation will continue to drive long-term growth for data storage in both Flash and HDD and believe that the actions we are taking will position us to capitalize on market conditions when they improve to address long-term growth opportunities in data storage across all our end markets.

We will continue to actively monitor developments impacting our business and may take additional responsive actions that we determine to be in the best interest of our business and stakeholders.

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We believe we have made significant progress in strengthening our product portfolio to meet our customers’ growing and evolving storage needs. Our new industry-leading 22-terabyte conventional magnetic recording drives and 26-terabyte shingled magnetic recording drives, utilizing OptiNAND technology, have commenced commercial shipments. We also have commenced product sampling of our latest 28-terabyte Ultra SMR drive, which built upon proven ePMR and UltraSMR technology, with full feature and performance compatibility, as well as the reliability trusted by our customers worldwide. During 2023, we announced BiCS8 node, the newest 3D-flash memory technology based on a chip-bonded-to-array architecture.

See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the risks we face as a result of macroeconomic conditions, and supply chain disruptions.

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Results of Operations

Summary Comparison of 2023, 2022 and 2021

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



		2023	2022						2021
	(in millions, except percentages)
Revenue, net			$	12,318	100.0	%	$	18,793	100.0	%	$	16,922	100.0	%
Cost of revenue			10,431		84.7		12,919		68.7		12,401		73.3
Gross profit			1,887		15.3		5,874		31.3		4,521		26.7
Operating expenses:
Research and development			2,009		16.3		2,323		12.4		2,243		13.3
Selling, general and administrative			970		7.9		1,117		5.9		1,105		6.5
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges			193		1.6		43		0.2		(47)		(0.3)
Total operating expenses			3,172		25.8		3,483		18.5		3,301		19.5
Operating income (loss)			(1,285)		(10.4)		2,391		12.7		1,220		7.2
Interest and other income:
Interest income			24		0.2		6		—		7		—
Interest expense			(312)		(2.5)		(304)		(1.6)		(326)		(1.9)
Other income, net			13		0.1		30		0.2		26		0.2
Total interest and other income, net			(275)		(2.2)		(268)		(1.4)		(293)		(1.7)
Income (loss) before taxes			(1,560)		(12.7)		2,123		11.3		927		5.5
Income tax expense			146		1.2		623		3.3		106		0.6
Net income (loss)			(1,706)		(13.8)		1,500		8.0		821		4.9
Less: cumulative dividends allocated to preferred shareholders			24		0.2		—		—		—		—
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders			$	(1,730)	(14.0)	%	$	1,500	8.0	%	$	821	4.9	%

(1)Percentage may not total due to rounding.

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The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, a summary of our segment information:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions, except percentages)
Net revenue:
Flash	$	6,063	$	9,753	$	8,706
HDD	6,255		9,040		8,216
Total net revenue	$	12,318	$	18,793	$	16,922
Gross profit:
Flash	$	433	$	3,527	$	2,611
HDD	1,505		2,661		2,221

Unallocated corporate items:
Stock-based compensation expense	(49)		(48)		(55)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	—		(66)		(331)
Contamination related charges	—		(207)		—
Recoveries from a power outage incident	—		7		75
Other	(2)		—		—
Total unallocated corporate items	(51)		(314)		(311)
Consolidated gross profit	$	1,887	$	5,874	$	4,521
Gross margin:
Flash	7.1%		36.2%		30.0%
HDD	24.1%		29.4%		27.0%
Consolidated gross margin	15.3%		31.3%		26.7%

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


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)





Revenue by End Market
Cloud	$	5,252	$	8,017	$	5,723
Client	4,328		7,076		7,281
Consumer	2,738		3,700		3,918
Total Revenue	$	12,318	$	18,793	$	16,922

Revenue by Geography
Asia	$	6,046	$	10,054	$	9,455
Americas	4,172		5,867		4,406
Europe, Middle East and Africa	2,100		2,872		3,061
Total Revenue	$	12,318	$	18,793	$	16,922
Exabytes Shipped	501		645		541

Net Revenue

Net revenue decreased 34% in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily reflecting the supply-demand imbalance and macroeconomic pressures described in the “Operational Update” above.

Flash revenue decreased 38% in 2023 compared to 2022, substantially all driven by a decline in the average selling prices per gigabyte across all our end markets.

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HDD revenue decreased 31% in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by an approximately 26% decrease in exabytes sold and a decline in the average selling prices. The decrease in exabytes sold was primarily driven by lower shipments to customers in our Cloud end market and to a lesser extent in Client and Consumer end markets.

The 34% decrease in Cloud revenue in 2023 compared to 2022, reflects approximately 25 percentage points driven by a decline in HDD revenue as customers reduced purchases to right-size their inventories, and approximately 9 percentage points driven by a decline in Flash revenue resulting primarily from a decrease in shipments, as well as from lower average selling prices of our flash-based products. In Client, the 39% decrease in revenue in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects approximately 34 percentage points driven by a decline in Flash revenue due to pricing pressure across Flash and approximately 5 percentage points driven by a decline in HDD shipments. In Consumer, the 26% decrease in revenues in 2023 compared to 2022, was relatively evenly split between decreases in average selling price per gigabyte in Flash and a decline in retail HDD shipments.

The changes in net revenue by geography in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily reflect a larger decline in Asia from lower Client revenue from OEMs in this region as they reduced purchases to align with current market demand, as well as routine variations in the mix of business.

For 2023, 2022 and 2021, our top 10 customers accounted for 43%, 45% and 39%, respectively, of our net revenue. For each of 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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 2023, 2022 and 2021, these programs represented 20%, 17% and 19%, 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 over the last three years. 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.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Consolidated gross profit decreased $3.99 billion, or 68%, in 2023 compared to 2022, which reflected the decrease in revenue described above as well as an aggregate of approximately $605 million for manufacturing underutilization and related charges and a write-down of certain Flash inventory to the lower of cost or market value ($404 million in Flash and $201 million in HDD), partially offset by $207 million of charges related to a contamination event in the Flash Ventures’ fabrication facilities incurred in the prior year, and a $66 million decrease in charges related to amortization expense on acquired intangible assets, some of which became fully amortized in 2023. Consolidated gross margin decreased 16 percentage points over the prior year with approximately 4 percentage points of the decline due to the net charges noted above and the remainder driven by the lower average selling prices per gigabyte in Flash. Flash gross margin decreased by 29.1 percentage points year over year, substantially driven by lower average selling prices per gigabyte in Flash with approximately 4 percentage points driven by year-over-year changes in the charges noted above. HDD gross margin decreased by 5.3 percentage points year over year, with approximately 3 percentage points of the decline due to the underutilization charges noted above and the remainder primarily reflecting lower average selling prices per gigabyte and variation in the mix of products.

Operating Expenses

R&D expense decreased $314 million or 14% in 2023 compared to 2022, which reflects reductions in headcount and variable compensation expense as well as savings resulting from our actions to reduce expenses in the current dynamic economic environment.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense decreased $147 million or 13% in 2023 compared to 2022, which reflects reductions in headcount, variable compensation expense and professional fees as well as savings resulting from our actions to reduce expenses in the current dynamic economic environment.

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges increased $150 million compared to 2022, primarily due to restructuring actions taken to adjust our cost structure to align with the current demand environment. For additional information regarding employee termination, asset impairment and other charges, see Part II, Item 8, Note 16, Employee Termination, Asset Impairment, and Other Charges, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Interest and Other Income

The total interest and other income, net in 2023 was relatively flat compared to 2022, which reflected higher interest expense as a result of increases in interest rates and lower other income, partially offset by $29 million of lower amortization of the debt discount as a result of the adoption of ASU 2020-06 (as defined and described in Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) and higher interest income on our cash and investments due to higher interest rates.

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 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.

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which contained significant law changes related to tax, climate, energy, and health care. The tax measures include, among other things, a corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) of 15% on corporations with three-year average annual adjusted financial statement income (“AFSI”) exceeding $1.00 billion. The CAMT will be effective for us beginning with fiscal year 2024. We are currently evaluating the potential effects of these legislative changes.

The following table sets forth Income tax information from our Consolidated Statement of Operations by dollar and effective tax rate:



		2023			2022			2021
	(in millions, except percentages)
Income (loss) before taxes		$	(1,560)		$	2,123		$	927
Income tax expense		146			623			106
Effective tax rate		(9)		%	29		%	11		%

Beginning in 2023, the 2017 Act requires us to capitalize and amortize R&D expenses rather than expensing them in the year incurred. The tax effects related to the capitalization of R&D expenses are included in Income tax expense, but did not have a material impact on our effective tax rate.

The primary drivers of the difference between the effective tax rate for 2023 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 years 2024 through 2031.

The primary drivers of the difference between the effective tax rate for 2022 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 years 2024 through 2031. In addition, the effective tax rate for 2022 includes a net increase of $352 million to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which includes interest and offsetting tax benefits, as a result of our discussions with various taxing authorities. This amount includes $324 million related to the effects of the final settlement with the IRS resolving the statutory notices of deficiency with respect to 2008 through 2012 and the tentative settlement reached with the IRS resolving the notices of proposed adjustments with respect to 2013 through 2015.

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 years may also vary as a result of discrete items such as excess tax benefits or deficiencies.

For additional information regarding Income tax expense, see Part II, Item 8, Note 14, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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A discussion of our results of operations for 2021, including a comparison of such results of operations to 2022, is included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2022.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table summarizes our statements of cash flows:




	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(408)	$	1,880	$	1,898
Investing activities	(762)		(1,192)		(765)
Financing activities	875		(1,718)		(817)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(9)		(13)		6
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(304)	$	(1,043)	$	322

We reached a final agreement with the IRS and received notices of deficiency with respect to years 2008 through 2012. In addition, we have tentatively reached a basis for resolving the notices of proposed adjustments with respect to years 2013 through 2015. As of June 30, 2023, we have recognized a liability for tax and interest of $753 million related to all years from 2008 through 2015. We expect to pay $523 million in the first quarter of 2024 with respect to years 2008 through 2012 and expect to pay any remaining balance with respect to this matter within the next twelve months.

In connection with settlements for years 2008 through 2015, we expect to realize reductions to our mandatory deemed repatriation tax obligations and tax savings from interest deductions in future years aggregating to approximately $160 million to $180 million. See Part I, Item 1, Note 14, Income Tax Expense for further details.

The $1.10 billion principal amount of our 1.50% convertible notes due 2024 will mature on February 1, 2024, and we are required to settle any conversion value with the principal amount settled in cash and any excess in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination thereof pursuant to the terms of the indenture, dated as of February 13, 2018. See Part I, Item 1, Note 8, Debt for further details.

As further described under “Key Developments - Financing Activities” above, in December 2022 and June 2023, we modified certain financial covenant requirements in the loan agreement governing our Term Loan A-2 and revolving credit facility. In addition, in January 2023, we entered into a delayed draw term loan agreement, which was then amended in June 2023 and fully drawn in the amount of $600 million in August 2023. In January 2023, we also issued an aggregate of 900,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $900 million. We believe these transactions will provide us with greater financial flexibility to manage our business.

We have an existing shelf registration statement (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that expires in August 2024, which allows us to offer and sell shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, and debt securities. We may use the Shelf Registration Statement or other capital sources, including other offerings of equity or debt securities or the credit markets, to satisfy future financing needs, including planned or unanticipated capital expenditures, investments, debt repayments or other expenses. Any such additional financing will be subject to market conditions and may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.

As noted previously, we have been scaling back on capital expenditures, consolidating production lines and reducing bit growth to align with market demand. We reduced our 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 approximately $1.4 billion in 2023 from approximately $1.5 billion in 2022. After consideration of the Flash Ventures’ lease financing of its capital expenditures and net operating cash flow, we reduced our net cash used for our purchases of property, plant and equipment and net activity in notes receivable relating to Flash Ventures to $793 million in 2023 from $1.2 billion in 2022. We expect the capital expenditures for 2024 to be less than 2023.

We believe our cash, and cash equivalents including the proceeds from the drawdown of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, as discussed in “Key Developments - Financing Activities” above, as well as our available revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to meet our working capital, debt and capital expenditure needs for at least the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future thereafter, as we navigate the current market downturn before returning to profitable operations and positive cash flows when the market normalizes. We believe we can also access the various capital markets to further supplement our liquidity position if necessary. 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 this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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A total of $1.28 billion and $1.82 billion of our cash and cash equivalents were held outside of the U.S. as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively. There are no material tax consequences that were not previously accrued for on the repatriation of this cash.

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 also invest directly in certificates of deposit, asset-backed securities and corporate and municipal notes and bonds.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by or used in operating activities primarily consists of net income or loss, adjusted for non-cash charges, plus or minus changes in operating assets and liabilities. Net cash provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities was $90 million for 2023, as compared to $1.08 billion for 2022, which reflects the reduction in the volume of our business. 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. At the end of the respective fourth quarters, the cash conversion cycles were as follows (in days):



	2023	2022	2021
	(in days)
Days sales outstanding	54	56	42
Days in inventory	130	107	98
Days payables outstanding	(56)	(66)	(63)
Cash conversion cycle	128	97	77

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 modify the timing of payments to our vendors. We make modifications primarily to manage our vendor relationships and to manage our cash flows, including our cash balances. Generally, we make the payment term modifications through negotiations with our vendors or by granting to, or receiving from, our vendors’ payment term accommodations.

DSO decreased by 2 days over the prior year, reflecting timing of shipments and customer collections. DIO increased by 23 days over the prior year, primarily reflecting a decline in products shipped in light of the current market environment. DPO decreased 10 days over the prior year, primarily due to reductions in production volume and capital expenditures as well as routine variations in the timing of purchases and payments during the period.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities in 2023 primarily consisted of $821 million in capital expenditures, partially offset by a $14 million net decrease in notes receivable issuance to Flash Ventures and $14 million in net proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities in 2022 primarily consisted of a $1.12 billion of capital expenditures, partially offset by a $91 million net increase in notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures.

Financing Activities

During 2023, net cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of $881 million from the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock and $93 million from issuance of stock under employee stock plans, partially offset by $80 million used for taxes paid on vested stock awards under employee stock plans. In addition, we drew and repaid $1.18 billion under our revolving credit facility within the period. Cash used in financing activities in 2022 primarily consisted of $3.62 billion for repayment of debt, as well as $122 million for taxes paid on vested stock awards under employee stock plans, partially offset by net proceeds of $1.87 billion from the issuance of new debt and $90 million from the issuance of stock under employee stock plans.

A discussion of our cash flows for the year ended July 2, 2021 is included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2022.

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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 - Indemnifications” 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 Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, with the exception of Flash Ventures and our joint venture with Unisplendour Corporation Limited and Unissoft (Wuxi) Group Co. Ltd. (“Unis”), referred to as the “Unis Venture”, 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 II, Item 8, Note 10, Related Parties and Related Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Short- and Long-term Liquidity

Material Cash Requirements

In addition to cash requirements for unrecognized tax benefits and dividend rights with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock discussed below, the following is a summary of our known material cash requirements, including those for capital expenditures, as of June 30, 2023:


	Total		1 Year (2024)		2-3 Years (2025-2026)		4-5 Years (2027-2028)		More than 5 Years (Beyond 2028)
	(in millions)


Long-term debt, including current portion(1)	$	7,100	$	1,213	$	2,600	$	2,287	$	1,000
Interest on debt	1,091		342		555		118		76
Flash Ventures related commitments(2)	3,912		1,859		1,613		537		(97)
Operating leases	334		49		94		77		114
Purchase obligations and other commitments	3,102		2,589		316		67		130
Mandatory deemed repatriation tax	663		199		464		—		—
Total	$	16,202	$	6,251	$	5,642	$	3,086	$	1,223

(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.

Dividend rights

On January 31, 2023, we issued an aggregate of 900,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $900 million. These shares are entitled to cumulative preferred dividends. See Part II, Item 8, Note 13, Shareholders’ Equity and Convertible Preferred Stock, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the dividend provisions.

Debt

In addition to our existing debt, as of June 30, 2023, we had $2.25 billion available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility until January 2027, subject to customary conditions under the loan agreement. Furthermore, we drew the Delayed Draw Term Loan in the amount of $600 million as noted in “Key Developments - Financing Activities”. The agreements governing these credit facilities each include limits on secured indebtedness and certain types of unsecured subsidiary indebtedness and require certain of our subsidiaries to provide guarantees and collateral to the extent the conditions providing for such guarantees and collateral are met. 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 II, Item 8, Note 8, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our delayed draw term loan agreement and the loan agreement governing our revolving credit facility and our term loan A-2 due 2027 require us to comply with certain financial covenants, consisting of a leverage ratio, a minimum liquidity and a free cash flow requirements. As of June 30, 2023, 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 June 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under these Japanese lease facilities. See Part II, Item 8, Note 10, Related Parties and Related Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding Flash Ventures.

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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.

Mandatory Deemed Repatriation Tax

The following is a summary of our estimated mandatory deemed repatriation tax obligations under the 2017 Act that are payable in the following years (in millions):


	June 30, 2023
2024	$	199
2025	206
2026	258




Total	$	663

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 year ended June 28, 2019.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of June 30, 2023, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits (excluding accrued interest and penalties) was approximately $1.02 billion. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2023, were approximately $289 million. Of these amounts, approximately $1.14 billion could result in potential cash payments.

As noted above, we reached a final agreement with the IRS and received notices of deficiency with respect to years 2008 through 2012. In addition, we have tentatively reached a basis for resolving the notices of proposed adjustments with respect to years 2013 through 2015. As of June 30, 2023, we have recognized a liability for tax and interest of $753 million related to all years from 2008 through 2015. We expect to pay $523 million in the first quarter of 2024 with respect to years 2008 through 2012 and expect to pay any remaining balance with respect to this matter within the next twelve months.

Mandatory Research and Development Expense Capitalization

Beginning in 2023, the 2017 Act requires us to capitalize and amortize research and development expenses rather than expensing them in the year incurred, which is expected to result in higher cash tax payments once we return to profitability.

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 II, Item 8, Note 7, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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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 intellectual property 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.

Cash Dividend

We issued a quarterly cash dividend from the first quarter of 2013 up to the third quarter of 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 II, Item 8, Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have prepared the accompanying 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 Consolidated Financial Statements may be material.

Revenue

We provide distributors and retailers (collectively referred to as “resellers”) with limited price protection for inventories held by resellers at the time of published list price reductions. We also provide resellers and OEMs with other sales incentive programs. The Company records estimated variable consideration related to these items as a reduction to revenue at the time of revenue recognition. We use judgment in our assessment of variable consideration in contracts to be included in the transaction price. We use the expected value method to arrive at the amount of variable consideration. The Company constrains variable consideration until the likelihood of a significant revenue reversal is not probable and believes that the expected value method is the appropriate estimate of the amount of variable consideration based on the fact that we have a large number of contracts with similar characteristics.

For sales to OEMs, the Company’s methodology for estimating variable consideration is based on the amount of consideration expected to be earned based on the OEMs’ volume of purchases from the Company or other agreed upon sales incentive programs. For sales to resellers, the methodology for estimating variable consideration is based on several factors including historical pricing information, current pricing trends and channel inventory levels. Estimating the impact of these factors requires significant judgment and differences between the estimated and actual amounts of variable consideration can be significant.

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Inventories

We value inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value (“NRV”), with cost determined on a first-in, first-out basis. We record inventory write-downs of our inventory to lower of cost or net realizable value or for obsolete or excess inventory based on assumptions, which requires significant judgement. The determination of NRV involves estimating the average selling prices less any selling expenses of inventory based on market conditions and customer demand. To estimate the average selling prices and selling expenses of inventory, we review historical sales, future demand, economic conditions, contract prices and other information.

We periodically perform an excess and obsolete analysis of our inventory based on assumptions, which includes changes in business and economic conditions, changes in technology and projected demand of our products. If in any period we anticipate a change in those assumptions to be less favorable than our previous estimates, additional inventory write-downs may be required and could materially and negatively impact our gross margin. If in any period, we can sell inventories that had been written down to a level below the realized selling price in previous period, higher gross profit would be recognized in that period. While adjustments to these reserves have generally not been material, in 2023, we recorded a charge to Cost of revenue of $130 million, primarily to reduce component inventory to net realizable value as a result of a sudden change in demand for certain products.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Each quarter, we evaluate the need for a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets and we adjust the valuation allowance so that we record net deferred tax assets only to the extent that we conclude it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized. The assessment of valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets requires estimations and significant judgment. We continue to assess and adjust its valuation allowance based on operating results and market conditions. We account for interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of the provision for income taxes.

We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. To the extent a tax position does not meet a more-likely-than-not level of certainty, no benefit is recognized in the financial statements. If a position meets the more-likely-than-not level of certainty, it is recognized in the financial statements at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized on liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions and are recorded in our provision for income taxes. The actual liability for unrealized tax benefits in any such contingency may be materially different from our estimates, which could result in the need to record additional liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits or potentially adjust previously-recorded liabilities for unrealized tax benefits and materially affect our operating results.

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, it is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. We perform our annual impairment test as of the first day of our fourth quarter for each reporting unit. As disclosed in Part II, Item 8. Note 3, Business Segments, Geographic Information, and Concentrations of Risk, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management identified several factors that warranted a quantitative analysis of impairment for both the Flash and HDD reporting units during 2023. As disclosed, we are required to use judgment when applying the goodwill impairment test, including in the identification of our reporting units. We also make judgments and assumptions in the assignment of assets and liabilities to our reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. In addition, the estimates used to determine the fair value of each of our reporting units may change based on results of operations, macroeconomic conditions or other factors. Changes in these estimates could materially affect our assessment of the fair value and goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. If our stock price decreases significantly, goodwill could become impaired, which could result in a material charge and adversely affect our results of operations. Our recent assessments have indicated that fair value exceeds carrying value by a reasonable margin and we have not identified any impairment indicators for our reporting units.

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Disclosure About Foreign Currency Risk

Although the majority of our transactions are in U.S. dollars, some transactions are based in various foreign currencies. We purchase short-term foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on certain underlying assets, liabilities and commitments for product costs and Operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of entering into these hedge transactions is to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our results of operations. Substantially all of the contract maturity dates do not exceed 12 months. We do not purchase foreign exchange contracts for speculative or trading purposes. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 6, Fair Value Measurements and Investments, and Note 7, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Due to macroeconomic changes and volatility experienced in the foreign exchange market recently, we believe sensitivity analysis is more informative in representing the potential impact to the portfolio as a result of market movement. Therefore, we have performed sensitivity analyses for 2023 and 2022, using a modeling technique that measures the change in the fair values arising from a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in the levels of foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant. The analyses cover all of our foreign currency derivative contracts used to offset the underlying exposures. The foreign currency exchange rates used in performing the sensitivity analyses were based on market rates in effect at June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022. The sensitivity analyses indicated that a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar would result in a foreign exchange fair value loss of $285 million and $306 million at June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively.

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, total net realized and unrealized transaction and foreign exchange contract currency gains and losses were not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Notwithstanding our efforts to mitigate some foreign exchange risks, we do not hedge all of our foreign currency exposures, and there can be no assurance that our mitigating activities related to the exposures that we hedge will adequately protect us against risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations.

Disclosure About Interest Rate Risk

Variable Interest Rate Risk

We have generally held a balance of fixed and variable rate debt. As of June 30, 2023, our only variable rate debt outstanding was our Term Loan A-2 Loan, which bears interest, at the Company’s option, at a per annum rate equal to either (x) the Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin varying from 1.125% to 2.000% or (y) a base rate plus an applicable margin varying from 0.125% to 1.000%, in each case depending on the corporate family ratings of the Company from at least two of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Fitch Ratings, Inc., with an initial interest rate of Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.375%. As of June 30, 2023, the outstanding balance on our Term Loan A-2 was $2.70 billion and a one percent increase in the variable rate of interest would increase annual interest expense by $27 million.

For additional information regarding our variable interest rate debt, see Part II, Item 8, Note 8, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Financial Statements


			PAGE NO.
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Auditor Firm ID: 185)			50
Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022			53
Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three Years Ended June 30, 2023			54
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Three Years Ended June 30, 2023			55
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Three Years Ended June 30, 2023			56
Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' Equity — Three Years Ended June 30, 2023			57
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			58

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Western Digital Corporation:

Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Western Digital Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, convertible preferred stock and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock as of July 2, 2022 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 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”.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A Controls and Procedures - Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally

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accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Assessment of variable consideration for sales to resellers

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company provides resellers with price protection and other sales incentive programs. The Company uses judgment in its assessment of variable consideration related to these items in contracts to be included in the transaction price. The Company’s estimate of variable consideration for sales to resellers is based on several factors, including historical pricing information, current pricing trends, and channel inventory levels.

We identified the assessment of variable consideration for sales to resellers as a critical audit matter. A high degree of subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate the Company’s historical pricing information and the level of channel inventory used to determine variable consideration for sales to resellers.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s process for determining the variable consideration, including certain controls related to historical pricing information and the level of channel inventory. We evaluated historical pricing by inspecting a sample of customer contracts with resellers and comparing the sales incentives earned during the year to the sales incentive program terms and conditions and recalculating amounts paid to the resellers. We tested the channel inventory levels by comparing the on-hand inventory amounts for a sample of resellers to information obtained from the resellers and evaluated the reasonableness of reconciling items.

Goodwill Impairment Assessment of the Company’s Reporting Units

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the goodwill balance as of June 30, 2023 was $10,037 million. The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of the beginning of its fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill may be impaired. The Company performed a quantitative assessment as of the end of the first and second quarters of fiscal 2023 and again as of its annual goodwill impairment test date, and the fair value of each reporting unit was measured based on a combination of valuation techniques, including an income approach and a market approach. Based on the Company’s analysis, the fair value of both reporting units was in excess of the carrying values and therefore, did not result in any goodwill impairment.

We identified the assessment of goodwill for impairment for the Company’s reporting units as a critical audit matter. A high degree of subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate the forecasted revenue, including revenue growth rates, forecasted cost of goods sold, and the company-specific risk premium assumptions used in the income approach to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. The assessment of these assumptions was challenging due to the degree of uncertainty related to future market and economic conditions. Differences in judgment used to determine these assumptions could have a significant effect on the Company’s assessment of the fair value of the reporting units. Additionally, evaluating the company-specific risk premium assumption required specialized skills and knowledge.

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The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment process, including controls over the development of the forecasted revenue, forecasted cost of goods sold, and the company-specific risk premium assumptions. We evaluated the Company’s forecasted revenue by comparing it to historical results and revenue growth rates projected for peer companies and the industry. We evaluated the Company’s forecasted cost of goods sold by comparing it to historical results and by comparing the forecasted gross margin to historical gross margin for peer companies and the industry. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating the company-specific risk premium by comparing management’s financial projections to publicly available forecasts of comparable companies and the Company’s actual operating results in prior years.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1970.

Santa Clara, California

August 21, 2023

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except par value)


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,023	$	2,327
Accounts receivable, net	1,598		2,804
Inventories	3,698		3,638
Other current assets	567		684
Total current assets	7,886		9,453
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,620		3,670
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	1,297		1,396
Goodwill	10,037		10,041
Other intangible assets, net	80		213
Other non-current assets	1,509		1,486
Total assets	$	24,429	$	26,259
LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,293	$	1,902
Accounts payable to related parties	292		320
Accrued expenses	1,288		1,636
Income taxes payable	999		869
Accrued compensation	349		510
Current portion of long-term debt	1,213		—
Total current liabilities	5,434		5,237
Long-term debt	5,857		7,022
Other liabilities	1,415		1,779
Total liabilities	12,706		14,038
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10, 11, 14 and 17)
Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized — 5 shares; issued and outstanding — 1 shares in 2023 and 0 shares in 2022; aggregate liquidation preference of $933 and $0 as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively	876		—
Shareholders’ equity:

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized — 450 shares; issued and outstanding — 322 shares in 2023 and 315 shares in 2022	3		3
Additional paid-in capital	3,936		3,733
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(516)		(554)
Retained earnings	7,424		9,039

Total shareholders’ equity	10,847		12,221
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and shareholders’ equity	$	24,429	$	26,259

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

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)


	Year Ended
		June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022		July 2, 2021
Revenue, net		$	12,318	$	18,793	$	16,922
Cost of revenue		10,431		12,919		12,401
Gross profit		1,887		5,874		4,521
Operating expenses:
Research and development		2,009		2,323		2,243
Selling, general and administrative		970		1,117		1,105
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges		193		43		(47)
Total operating expenses		3,172		3,483		3,301
Operating income (loss)		(1,285)		2,391		1,220
Interest and other income:
Interest income		24		6		7
Interest expense		(312)		(304)		(326)
Other income, net		13		30		26
Total interest and other income, net		(275)		(268)		(293)
Income (loss) before taxes		(1,560)		2,123		927
Income tax expense		146		623		106
Net income (loss)		(1,706)		1,500		821
Less: cumulative dividends allocated to preferred shareholders		24		—		—
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	(1,730)	$	1,500	$	821

Income (loss) per common share
Basic		$	(5.44)	$	4.81	$	2.69
Diluted		$	(5.44)	$	4.75	$	2.66
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		318		312		305
Diluted		318		316		309

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

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in millions)


	Year Ended
		June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022		July 2, 2021
Net income (loss)		$	(1,706)	$	1,500	$	821
Other comprehensive gain (loss), before tax:
Actuarial pension gain		12		26		27
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(81)		(239)		(36)


Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts		138		(180)		(33)
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), before tax		69		(393)		(42)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive gain (loss), before tax		(31)		36		2
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax		38		(357)		(40)
Total comprehensive income (loss)		$	(1,668)	$	1,143	$	781

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

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)


	Year Ended
	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022		July 2, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	(1,706)	$	1,500	$	821
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	828		929		1,212
Stock-based compensation	318		326		318
Deferred income taxes	(34)		114		(242)
Gain on disposal of assets	(7)		(16)		(70)
Non-cash portion of asset impairment	19		—		—
Gain on business divestiture	—		(9)		—
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts	13		44		40

Other non-cash operating activities, net	71		67		(6)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable, net	1,206		(546)		121
Inventories	(60)		(22)		(546)
Accounts payable	(459)		(129)		11
Accounts payable to related parties	(28)		(78)		(9)
Accrued expenses	(352)		246		257
Income taxes payable	130		(74)		95
Accrued compensation	(162)		(123)		162
Other assets and liabilities, net	(185)		(349)		(266)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(408)		1,880		1,898
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(821)		(1,122)		(1,146)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	14		15		143




Proceeds from dispositions of business	—		32		—
Notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures	(627)		(809)		(541)
Notes receivable proceeds from Flash Ventures	641		718		772
Strategic investments and other, net	31		(26)		7
Net cash used in investing activities	(762)		(1,192)		(765)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of stock under employee stock plans	93		122		134
Taxes paid on vested stock awards under employee stock plans	(80)		(90)		(56)
Net proceeds from convertible preferred stock	881		—		—


Repayment of government grants	—		—		(9)



Repayment of debt	(1,180)		(3,621)		(886)
Proceeds from debt issuance	1,180		1,894		—
Debt issuance costs	(19)		(23)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	875		(1,718)		(817)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(9)		(13)		6
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(304)		(1,043)		322
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	2,327		3,370		3,048
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	2,023	$	2,327	$	3,370
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	$	177	$	423	$	348
Cash paid for interest	$	294	$	245	$	283
Noncash exchange of Term Loan A-1 for Term Loan A-2	$	—	$	2,104	$	—

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

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions)


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
















































































Balance at July 3, 2020	—	$	—	312	$	3	(10)	$	(737)	$	3,717	$	(157)	$	6,725	$	9,551
Net income	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		821		821
Adoption of new accounting standard	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		(7)		(7)
Employee stock plans	—	—		—	—		6	505		(427)		—		—		78
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		318		—		—		318







Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		23		—		23
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(36)		—		(36)
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(27)		—		(27)
Balance at July 2, 2021	—	—		312	3		(4)	(232)		3,608		(197)		7,539		10,721
Net income	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		1,500		1,500

Employee stock plans	—	—		3	—		4	232		(201)		—		—		31
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		326		—		—		326







Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		24		—		24
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(239)		—		(239)
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(142)		—		(142)
Balance at July 1, 2022	—	—		315	3		—	—		3,733		(554)		9,039		12,221
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		(1,706)		(1,706)
Adoption of new accounting standard	—	—		—	—		—	—		(128)		—		91		(37)
Employee stock plans	—	—		7	—		—	—		13		—		—		13
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		318		—		—		318
Issuance of convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs	1	876		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—







Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		9		—		9
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(80)		—		(80)
Net unrealized gain on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		109		—		109
Balance at June 30, 2023	1	$	876	322	$	3	—	$	—	$	3,936	$	(516)	$	7,424	$	10,847

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

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 based on both NAND flash and hard disk drive technologies.

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

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and has adopted accounting policies and practices which are generally accepted in the industry in which it operates. The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized below.

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 years 2023, 2022, and 2021, which ended on June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022 and July 2, 2021, respectively, are comprised of 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks. Unless otherwise indicated, references herein to specific years and quarters are to fiscal years and fiscal quarters, and references to financial information are on a consolidated basis.

Segment Reporting

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. The Company manages and reports under two reportable segments: flash-based products (“Flash”) and hard disk drives (“HDD”).

The Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), evaluates the performance of the Company and makes decisions regarding the allocation of resources based on each operating segment’s net revenue and gross margin. Because of the integrated nature of the Company’s production and distribution activities, separate segment asset measures are either not available or not used as a basis for the CODM to evaluate the performance of or to allocate resources to the segments.

Basis of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The functional currency of most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. The accounts of these foreign subsidiaries have been remeasured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Gains or losses resulting from the remeasurement of these accounts from local currencies into U.S. dollars were immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and a weighted average exchange rate for each period for statement of operations items. Translation adjustments are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders’ equity.

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 current macroeconomic conditions. However, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Cash Equivalents

The Company’s cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments in money market funds, which are invested in U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency securities as well as bank certificates of deposit with original maturities at purchase of three months or less. These deposits are typically in excess of U.S. insured limits. Cash equivalents are carried at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.

Equity Investments

The Company enters into certain strategic investments for the promotion of business and strategic objectives. The equity method of accounting is used if the Company’s ownership interest is greater than or equal to 20% but less than a majority or where the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. The Company’s equity in the earnings or losses in equity-method investments is recognized in Other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and were immaterial for all years presented.

If the Company’s ownership interest is less than 20% and the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee, the Company accounts for these investments at fair value, or if these equity securities do not have a readily determinable fair value, these securities are measured and recorded using the measurement alternative under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which is cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes. Previously, these investments were accounted for under the cost method of accounting. These investments are recorded within Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are periodically analyzed to determine whether or not there are indicators of impairment.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company evaluates its investments and other significant relationships to determine whether any investee is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the Company concludes that an investee is a VIE, the Company evaluates its power to direct the activities of the investee, its obligation to absorb the expected losses of the investee and its right to receive the expected residual returns of the investee to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the investee. If the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company consolidates such entity and reflects the non-controlling interest of other beneficiaries of that entity. The Company does not consolidate any cost method investment or equity method investment entities.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value for all periods presented because of the short-term maturity of these assets and liabilities. The carrying value of notes receivable from Flash Ventures also approximates fair value for all periods presented because they bear variable market rates of interest. The fair value of investments that are not accounted for under the equity method is based on appropriate market information.

Inventories

The Company values inventories at the lower of cost (first-in, first out) or net realizable value. The first-in, first-out method is used to value the cost of the majority of the Company’s inventories. Inventory write-downs are recorded for the valuation of inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value by analyzing market conditions and estimates of future sales prices as compared to inventory costs and inventory balances.

The Company evaluates inventory balances for excess quantities and obsolescence on a regular basis by analyzing estimated demand, inventory on hand, sales levels and other information and reduces inventory balances to net realizable value for excess and obsolete inventory based on this analysis. Unanticipated changes in technology or customer demand could result in a decrease in demand for one or more of the Company’s products, which may require a write-down of inventory that could materially affect operating results.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The Company’s buildings and improvements are depreciated over periods ranging from fifteen to thirty years. The majority of the Company’s machinery and equipment, software, and furniture and fixtures, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of two to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the related lease terms.

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, it is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. The Company performs an annual impairment test as of the beginning of its fourth quarter. The Company uses qualitative factors to determine whether goodwill is more likely than not impaired and whether a quantitative test for impairment is considered necessary. If the Company concludes from the qualitative assessment that goodwill is more likely than not impaired, the Company is required to perform a quantitative approach to determine the amount of impairment. The Company’s assessment resulted in no impairment of goodwill in 2023, 2022, or 2021.

The Company is required to use judgment when applying the goodwill impairment test, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. In addition, the estimates used to determine the fair value of reporting units may change based on the results of operations, macroeconomic conditions or other factors. Changes in these estimates could materially affect the Company’s assessment of the fair value and goodwill impairment. If the Company’s stock price decreases significantly, goodwill could become impaired, which could result in a material charge and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

IPR&D is an intangible asset accounted as an indefinite-lived asset until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development effort. During the development period, the Company conducts an IPR&D impairment test at least annually or whenever events or changes in facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the IPR&D is impaired. Events which might indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, adverse cost factors, strategic decisions made in response to economic, market, and competitive conditions, and the impact of the economic environment on the Company and on its customer base. If impairment is indicated, the impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Other long-lived assets are depreciated or amortized over their estimated useful lives based on the pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be received. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If impairment is indicated, the impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The estimates of fair value require evaluation of future market conditions and product lifecycles as well as projected revenue, earnings and cash flow. See Note 5, Supplemental Financial Statement Data, for additional disclosures related to the Company’s other intangible assets.

Revenue and Accounts Receivable

The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to the customer. The transaction price to be recognized as revenue is adjusted for variable consideration, such as sales incentives, and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties, including taxes imposed by governmental authorities. The Company’s performance obligations are typically not considered constrained based on the Company’s history with similar transactions and the fact that uncertainties are resolved in a fairly short period of time.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is from the sale of tangible products for which the performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time, generally upon delivery. The Company’s services revenue mainly includes professional service arrangements and post-contract customer support, warranty as a service and maintenance contracts. The performance obligations for the Company’s services are generally satisfied ratably over the service period based on the nature of the service provided and contract terms. Similarly, revenue from patent licensing arrangements is recognized based on whether the arrangement provides the customer a right to use or right to access the IP. Revenue for a right-to-use arrangement is recognized at the time the control of the license is transferred to the customer. Revenue for a right-to-access arrangement is recognized over the contract period using the time lapse method. For the sales-based royalty arrangements, the Company estimates and recognizes revenue in the period in which customers’ licensable sales occur.

The Company’s customer payment terms are typically less than two months from the date control over the product or service is transferred to the customer. The Company uses the practical expedient and does not recognize a significant financing component for payment considerations of less than one year. The financing components of contracts with payment terms were not material.

The Company provides distributors and retailers (collectively referred to as “resellers”) with limited price protection for inventories held by resellers at the time of published list price reductions. The Company also provides resellers and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) with other sales incentive programs. The Company records estimated variable consideration related to these items as a reduction to revenue at the time of revenue recognition. The Company uses judgment in its assessment of variable consideration in contracts to be included in the transaction price. The Company uses the expected value method to arrive at the amount of variable consideration. The Company constrains variable consideration until the likelihood of a significant revenue reversal is not probable and believes that the expected value method is the appropriate estimate of the amount of variable consideration based on the fact that the Company has a large number of contracts with similar characteristics.

For sales to OEMs, the Company’s methodology for estimating variable consideration is based on the amount of consideration expected to be earned based on the OEMs’ volume of purchases from the Company or other agreed-upon sales incentive programs. For sales to resellers, the Company’s methodology for estimating variable consideration is based on several factors including historical pricing information, current pricing trends and channel inventory levels. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts of variable consideration are recognized as adjustments to revenue.

Marketing development program costs are typically recorded as a reduction of the transaction price and, therefore, of revenue. The Company nets sales rebates against open customer receivable balances if the criteria to offset are met, otherwise they are recorded within other accrued liabilities.

For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company evaluates whether each deliverable is a distinct promise and should be accounted for as a separate performance obligation. If a promised good or service is not distinct in accordance with the revenue guidance, the Company combines that good or service with the other promised goods or services in the arrangement until a distinct bundle of goods is identified. If applicable, the Company allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations of each distinct product or service, or distinct bundle, based on their relative standalone selling prices.

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing specific customer accounts and assessing the risk of loss based on insolvency or other collection issues. In addition, the Company routinely analyzes the various receivable aging categories to establish reserves based on a combination of past-due receivables and expected future losses. If the financial condition of a significant customer deteriorates resulting in its inability to pay its accounts when due, or if the Company’s overall loss trajectory changes significantly, an adjustment in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts would be required, which could materially affect operating results.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Warranty

The Company records an accrual for estimated warranty costs when revenue is recognized. The Company generally warrants its products for a period of one to five years, with a small number of products having a warranty ranging up to ten years or more. The warranty provision considers estimated product failure rates and trends, estimated replacement costs, estimated repair costs which include scrap costs and estimated costs for customer compensatory claims related to product quality issues, if any. For warranties ten years or greater, including lifetime warranties, the Company uses the estimated useful life of the product to calculate the warranty exposure. A statistical warranty tracking model is used to help prepare estimates and assist the Company in exercising judgment in determining the underlying estimates. The statistical tracking model captures specific detail on product reliability, such as factory test data, historical field return rates and costs to repair by product type. Management’s judgment is subject to a greater degree of subjectivity with respect to newly introduced products because of limited field experience with those products upon which to base warranty estimates. Management reviews the warranty accrual quarterly for products shipped in prior periods and which are still under warranty. Any changes in the estimates underlying the accrual may result in adjustments that impact current period gross profit and income. Such changes are generally a result of differences between forecasted and actual return rate experience and costs to repair and could differ significantly from the estimates.

Litigation and Other Contingencies

When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, the Company assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. The Company discloses information regarding each material claim where the likelihood of a loss contingency is probable or reasonably possible. If a loss contingency is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an accrual for the loss. In such cases, there may be an exposure to potential loss in excess of the amount accrued. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible or where a loss in excess of the amount accrued is reasonably possible, the Company discloses an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim if a reasonable estimate can be made, unless the amount of such reasonably possible losses is not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The ability to predict the ultimate outcome of such matters involves judgments, estimates and inherent uncertainties. The actual outcome of such matters could differ materially from management’s estimates. See Note 17, Legal Proceedings, for additional disclosures related to the Company’s litigation.

Advertising Expense

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to $69 million, $88 million and $84 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These expenses are included in Selling, general and administrative in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development (“R&D”) expenditures are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss (“NOL”) and tax credit carryforwards. The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Each quarter, the Company evaluates the need for a valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets and adjusts the valuation allowance so that the Company records net deferred tax assets only to the extent that it has concluded it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of the provision for income taxes.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. To the extent a tax position does not meet a more-likely-than-not level of certainty, no benefit is recognized in the financial statements. If a position meets the more-likely-than-not level of certainty, it is recognized in the financial statements at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions and are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The actual liability for unrealized tax benefits in any such contingency may be materially different from the Company’s estimates, which could result in the need to record additional liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits or potentially adjust previously-recorded liabilities for unrealized tax benefits, and may materially affect the Company’s operating results.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per common share using a two-class method when shares are issued that meet the definition of participating securities. The two-class method determines net income (loss) per common share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires undistributed earnings for the period to be allocated between common stock and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed. The Company’s convertible preferred stock contractually entitles the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but does not contractually require the holders of such shares to participate in the Company’s losses.

The Company computes basic income (loss) per common share by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed by using diluted net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method or the “if-converted” method based on the nature of the securities. Potentially dilutive common shares include dilutive outstanding employee stock options, restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”) and restricted stock unit awards with performance conditions or market conditions (“PSUs”), rights to purchase shares of common stock under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), shares issuable in connection with the 1.50% convertible notes due 2024, and the convertible preferred stock.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for all stock-based compensation at fair value. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. The fair values of RSUs and PSUs with a performance condition are determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. The fair values of all ESPP purchase rights are estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and require the input of highly subjective assumptions. The fair values of PSUs with a market condition are estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. PSUs are granted to certain employees and vest only after the achievement of pre-determined performance or market conditions. Once these conditions are met, vesting of PSUs is subject to continued service by the employee. At the end of each reporting period, the Company evaluates the probability that PSUs with a performance condition will be earned and records the related stock-based compensation expense over the service period. Compensation expense for PSUs with market conditions is recognized ratably over the required service period regardless of expected or actual achievement.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax is primarily comprised of unrealized gains or losses on foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation, and actuarial gains or losses related to pensions.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Derivative Contracts

The majority of the Company’s transactions are in U.S. dollars; however, some transactions are based in various foreign currencies. The Company purchases foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on certain underlying assets, liabilities and commitments for Operating expenses and product costs denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of entering into these hedging transactions is to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company’s results of operations. Substantially all of these contract maturity dates do not exceed 12 months. All foreign exchange contracts are for risk management purposes only. The Company does not purchase foreign exchange contracts for speculative or trading purposes. The Company had foreign exchange contracts with commercial banks for British pound sterling, European euro, Japanese yen, Malaysian ringgit, Philippine peso, Thai baht, Korean won and Israeli shekel, which had an aggregate notional amount of $5.66 billion and $6.07 billion at June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively.

If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and is determined to be highly effective, the change in fair value of the derivative is initially deferred in Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. These amounts are subsequently recognized into earnings when the underlying cash flow being hedged is recognized into earnings. Recognized gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are reported in Cost of revenue and Operating expenses, and presented within cash flows from operating activities. The Company previously had interest rate swaps which were accounted for as designated cash flow hedges to mitigate variations in interest payments under a portion of its variable rate term loans. The Company paid interest monthly at a fixed rate and received interest monthly at the applicable index rate on the notional amount of the contract with realized gains or losses recognized in Interest expense. Hedge effectiveness is measured by comparing the hedging instrument’s cumulative change in fair value from inception to maturity to the underlying exposure’s terminal value. The Company determined the ineffectiveness associated with its cash flow hedges to be immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements for all years presented.

A change in the fair value of undesignated hedges is recognized in earnings in the period incurred and is reported in Other income, net.

Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

The Company has defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans covering certain employees in various countries. The benefits are based on the employees’ years of service and compensation. The plans are funded in conformity with the funding requirements of applicable government authorities. The Company amortizes unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated average service life of the participants. The measurement date for the plans is the Company’s year-end. The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with actuarial changes in the funded status recognized through accumulated other comprehensive loss in the year in which such changes occur.

The Company reports the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. In addition, the other components of net benefit cost are presented in Other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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 that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. The Company adopted the new standard effective July 2, 2022, the first day of the year ending June 30, 2023, using the modified retrospective method. On the date of adoption, the Company recorded a reduction in Additional paid-in capital of $128 million, a reduction of unamortized debt discount of $48 million, a reduction of deferred income tax liabilities of $11 million, and an increase to retained earnings of $91 million for 2023 for the after-tax impact of previously recognized amortization of the debt discount associated with the Company’s convertible senior notes. Amortization of debt discount included in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, under the previous accounting method was $29 million and $27 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-10, “Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance” (“ASU 2021-10”). ASU 2021-10 increases the transparency of government assistance received by requiring most business entities to disclose information about government assistance received, including (1) the types of assistance, (2) the entity’s accounting for the assistance, and (3) the effect of the assistance on an entity’s financial statements. The Company adopted this standard on July 2, 2022, the first day of fiscal 2023 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-04, “Liabilities-Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations”. This guidance requires entities that use supplier finance programs in connection with the purchase of goods and services to provide interim disclosures of the amount of outstanding supplier-financed purchases and annual disclosure of rollforward information related to those programs. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, which for the Company is the first quarter of 2024 (except for the amendment on rollforward information, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, which for the Company is the first quarter of 2025), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently compiling the information required for these disclosures.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 3. Business Segments, Geographic Information, and Concentrations of Risk

The following table summarizes the operating performance of the Company’s reportable segments:


	2023			2022			2021
	(in millions, except percentages)
Net revenue:
Flash	$	6,063		$	9,753		$	8,706
HDD	6,255			9,040			8,216
Total net revenue	$	12,318		$	18,793		$	16,922
Gross profit:
Flash	$	433		$	3,527		$	2,611
HDD	1,505			2,661			2,221
Total gross profit for segments	1,938			6,188			4,832
Unallocated corporate items:
Stock-based compensation expense	(49)			(48)			(55)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	—			(66)			(331)
Contamination related charges	—			(207)			—
Recoveries from a power outage incident	—			7			75
Other	(2)			—			—
Total unallocated corporate items	(51)			(314)			(311)
Consolidated gross profit	$	1,887		$	5,874		$	4,521
Gross margin:
Flash	7.1		%	36.2		%	30.0		%
HDD	24.1		%	29.4		%	27.0		%
Consolidated gross margin	15.3		%	31.3		%	26.7		%

Disaggregated Revenue

The Company’s broad portfolio of technology and products address multiple end markets. Cloud is comprised primarily of products for public or private cloud environments and end customers, which the Company believes it is uniquely positioned to address as the only provider of both Flash and HDD. Through the Client end market, the Company provides its original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) and channel customers a broad array of high-performance flash and hard drive solutions across personal computer, mobile, gaming, automotive, virtual reality headsets, at-home entertainment, and industrial spaces. The Consumer end market is highlighted by the Company’s broad range of retail and other end-user products, which capitalize on the strength of the Company’s product brand recognition and vast points of presence around the world.

The Company’s disaggregated revenue information is as follows:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Revenue by End Market
Cloud	$	5,252	$	8,017	$	5,723
Client	4,328		7,076		7,281
Consumer	2,738		3,700		3,918
Total Revenue	$	12,318	$	18,793	$	16,922

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company’s operations outside the United States include manufacturing facilities in China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, as well as sales offices throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The following tables summarize the Company’s operations by geographic area:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Net revenue (1)
United States	$	3,810	$	5,411	$	3,789
China	2,773		4,525		4,339
Hong Kong	1,829		3,645		3,624
Rest of Asia	1,444		1,884		1,492
Europe, Middle East and Africa	2,100		2,872		3,061
Other	362		456		617
Total	$	12,318	$	18,793	$	16,922

(1) Net revenue is attributed to geographic regions based on the ship-to location of the customer. License and royalty revenue is attributed to countries based upon the location of the headquarters of the licensee.


	2023		2022
	(in millions)
Long-lived assets (1)
United States	$	1,071	$	1,130
Malaysia	861		831
China	397		441
Thailand	851		816
Rest of Asia	393		406
Europe, Middle East and Africa	47		46
Total	$	3,620	$	3,670

(1) Long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located.

Customer Concentration and Credit Risk

The Company sells its products to computer manufacturers and OEMs, cloud service providers, resellers, distributors and retailers throughout the world. For each of 2023, 2022 and 2021, no customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s net revenue. For 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s top 10 customers accounted for 43%, 45%, and 39%, respectively, of the Company’s net revenue.

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition to manage collection risk, in some cases supplemented by collateral. The Company maintains allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses have historically been within management’s expectations. At any given point in time, the total amount outstanding from any one of a number of its customers may be individually significant to the Company’s financial results. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had net accounts receivable of $1.60 billion, and two customers, Arrow Electronics, Inc. and Apple, Inc., accounted for 15% and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s outstanding accounts receivable. As of July 1, 2022, the Company had net accounts receivable of $2.80 billion, and no customer accounted for more than 10% or more of the Company’s net accounts receivable. Reserves for potential credit losses were not material as of each period end.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company also has cash equivalent and investment policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution or investment instrument and requires that investments be made only with financial institutions or in investment instruments evaluated as highly credit-worthy.

Supplier Concentration

All of the Company’s Flash require silicon wafers for the memory and controller components. The Company’s flash memory wafers are currently supplied almost entirely from Flash Ventures (as defined in Note 10) and the Company’s controller wafers are all manufactured by third-party sources. The failure of any of these sources to deliver silicon wafers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, some key components are purchased from single source vendors for which alternative sources are currently not available. Shortages could occur in these essential materials due to an interruption of supply or increased demand in the industry. If the Company was unable to procure certain of such materials, the Company’s sales could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. The Company also relies on third-party subcontractors to assemble and test a portion of its products. The Company does not have long-term contracts with some of these subcontractors and cannot directly control product delivery schedules or manufacturing processes. This could lead to product shortages or quality assurance problems that could increase the manufacturing costs of the Company’s products and have material adverse effects on the Company’s operating results.

Goodwill

The following table provides a summary of goodwill activity for the period:


	Flash		HDD		Total
	(in millions)










Balance at July 1, 2022	$	5,718	$	4,323	$	10,041

Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2)		(2)		(4)

Balance at June 30, 2023	$	5,716	$	4,321	$	10,037

Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, it is tested for impairment annually as of the beginning of the Company’s fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. The Company uses qualitative factors to determine whether goodwill is more-likely-than-not impaired and whether a quantitative test for impairment is considered necessary. If the Company concludes from the qualitative assessment that goodwill is more-likely-than-not-impaired, the Company is required to perform a quantitative approach to determine the amount of impairment.

Management performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment for both reporting units as of the first day of its fourth quarter ended June 30, 2023. During 2023, after considering changes in industry and macroeconomic conditions, management performed quantitative analyses of impairments for both the Flash and HDD reporting units as of the end of the first and second quarter of 2023 and again as part of its annual impairment assessment as of the first day of the Company’s fourth quarter ended June 30, 2023. In each of these analyses, the fair value of each operating segment was based on a weighting of two valuation methodologies: an income approach and a market approach.

The income approach was based on the present value of the projected discounted cash flows (“DCF”) expected to be generated by the operating segment. Those projections required the use of significant estimates and assumptions specific to the reporting unit as well as those based on general economic conditions, which included, among other factors, revenue growth rates, gross margins, operating costs, capital expenditures, assumed tax rates and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management. The present value was based on applying a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) which considered long-term interest rates and cost of equity based on the Company’s risk profile.

The market approach was based on a guideline company method, which analyzed market multiples of revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for a group of comparable public companies.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company reconciled the aggregated estimated fair value of both operating segments to the Company’s market capitalization, including consideration of a control premium representing the estimated amount a market participant would pay to obtain a controlling interest in the Company.

In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of the first day of the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2023, the fair value derived from those valuation methodologies exceeded the carrying value by 20% and 35% for Flash and HDD, respectively. Accordingly, there were no impairment charges recorded in 2023. The Company also did not incur any impairment charges for 2022 or 2021.

The Company is required to use judgment when assessing goodwill for impairment, including evaluating the impact of industry and macroeconomic conditions, the determination of the fair value of each reporting unit and the assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units. In addition, the estimates used to determine the fair value of reporting units as well as their actual carrying value may change based on future changes in the Company’s results of operations, macroeconomic conditions or other factors. Changes in these estimates could materially affect the Company’s assessment of the fair value and goodwill impairment. In addition, if negative macroeconomic conditions continue or worsen or the Company’s stock price decreases for a sustained period of time, goodwill could become impaired, which could result in an impairment charge and materially adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 4. 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 June 30, 2023 or July 1, 2022. Contract liabilities relate to customers’ payments in advance of performance under the contract and primarily relate to remaining performance obligations under professional service and support and maintenance contracts. Contract liabilities as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022 and changes in contract liabilities during 2023 and 2022 were not material.

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. The Company had no direct incremental costs to obtain contracts that have an expected benefit of greater than one year.

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 the 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, professional service 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 June 30, 2023 was not material.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 5. 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. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company sold trade accounts receivable aggregating $776 million, $400 million and $233 million, respectively. The discounts on the trade accounts receivable sold during the periods were not material and were recorded within Other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, the amount of factored receivables that remained outstanding was $150 million and $300 million, respectively.

Inventories


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022
	(in millions)
Inventories:
Raw materials and component parts	$	2,096	$	1,603
Work-in-process	979		1,162
Finished goods	623		873
Total inventories	$	3,698	$	3,638

Property, plant and equipment, net


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022
	(in millions)
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	$	269	$	269
Buildings and improvements	1,955		1,920
Machinery and equipment	8,704		8,642
Computer equipment and software	470		494
Furniture and fixtures	54		54
Construction-in-process	798		591
Property, plant and equipment, gross	12,250		11,970
Accumulated depreciation	(8,630)		(8,300)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	3,620	$	3,670

Depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment totaled $695 million, $708 million and $726 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Intangible assets

The following tables present intangible assets as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022:


	June 30, 2023
	Weighted Average Amortization Period	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	(in years)	(in millions)
Finite-lived:
Existing technology	3	$	4,231	$	(4,231)	$	—
Trade names and trademarks	7	648		(648)		—
Customer relationships	6	611		(611)		—

Leasehold interests	31	1		(1)		—
Total finite intangible assets		5,491		(5,491)		—
In-process research and development		80		—		80
Total intangible assets		$	5,571	$	(5,491)	$	80


	July 1, 2022
	Weighted Average Amortization Period	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	(in years)	(in millions)
Finite-lived:
Existing technology	3	$	4,231	$	(4,231)	$	—
Trade names and trademarks	7	648		(573)		75
Customer relationships	6	613		(555)		58

Leasehold interests	31	1		(1)		—
Total finite intangible assets		5,493		(5,360)		133
In-process research and development		80		—		80
Total intangible assets		$	5,573	$	(5,360)	$	213

As part of prior acquisitions, the Company recorded at the time of the acquisition acquired 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.

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not record any impairment charges related to intangible assets.

Intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful lives based on the pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be received. Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization totaled $133 million, $221 million, and $486 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, all finite-lived intangible assets were fully amortized.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Product warranty liability

Changes in the warranty accrual were as follows:



	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Warranty accrual, beginning of period	$	345	$	363	$	408

Charges to operations	106		146		137
Utilization	(169)		(103)		(106)
Changes in estimate related to pre-existing warranties	(38)		(61)		(76)
Warranty accrual, end of period	$	244	$	345	$	363

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:


	2023		2022
	(in millions)
Warranty accrual
Current portion (included in Accrued expenses)	$	97	$	162
Long-term portion (included in Other liabilities)	147		183
Total warranty accrual	$	244	$	345

Other liabilities


	2023		2022
	(in millions)
Other liabilities:
Non-current net tax payable	$	464	$	659
Non-current portion of unrecognized tax benefits	408		477
Other non-current liabilities	543		643
Total other liabilities	$	1,415	$	1,779

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”), 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 AOCL:


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





Balance at July 2, 2021	$	(35)	$	(38)	$	(124)	$	(197)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	26		(239)		(352)		(565)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—		—		172		172
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)		—		38		36
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	24		(239)		(142)		(357)
Balance at July 1, 2022	(11)		(277)		(266)		(554)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	12		(81)		(213)		(282)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—		—		351		351
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(3)		1		(29)		(31)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	9		(80)		109		38
Balance at June 30, 2023	$	(2)	$	(357)	$	(157)	$	(516)

During 2023 and 2022, the amounts reclassified out of AOCL included gains of $10 million and losses of $47 million, respectively, related to interest rate swaps and losses of $361 million and $125 million, respectively, related to foreign exchange contracts. The gains and losses related to interest rate swaps were charged to interest expense and losses related to foreign contracts were substantially all charged to Cost of revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 6. 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 June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such values:


	June 30, 2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in millions)
Assets:

Cash equivalents – Money market funds	$	371	$	—	$	—	$	371


















Foreign exchange contracts	—		35		—		35



Total assets at fair value	$	371	$	35	$	—	$	406
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts	$	—	$	192	$	—	$	192


Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	192	$	—	$	192


	July 1, 2022
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in millions)
Assets:

Cash equivalents – Money market funds	$	266	$	—	$	—	$	266


















Foreign exchange contracts	—		61		—		61
Interest rate swap contracts	—		3		—		3

Total assets at fair value	$	266	$	64	$	—	$	330
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts	$	—	$	316	$	—	$	316


Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	316	$	—	$	316

Money Market Funds. The Company’s money market funds are funds that invest in U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency securities. Money market funds are valued based on quoted market prices.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company’s foreign exchange contracts are short-term contracts to hedge the Company’s foreign currency risk. Foreign exchange contracts are valued using an income approach that is based on a present value of future cash flows model. The market-based observable inputs for the model include forward rates and credit default swap rates. For more information on the Company’s foreign exchange contracts, see Note 7, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Derivative assets and liabilities are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet under Other current assets and Accrued expenses, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps. The Company’s interest rate swaps were long-term contracts to hedge the Company’s variable rate debt risk. Interest rate swaps were valued based on estimated present value of future cash flows model. The market-based observable inputs for the model include interest rate curves and credit valuation adjustments based on published credit default swap curves.

During 2023 and 2022, the Company had no transfers of financial assets and liabilities between levels and there were no changes in valuation techniques and the inputs used in the fair value measurement.

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

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 fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022, respectively.


	June 30, 2023				July 1, 2022
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(in millions)





1.50% convertible notes due 2024	$	1,099	$	1,067	$	1,048	$	1,040

4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	2,293		2,193		2,291		2,205





Variable interest rate Term Loan A-2 maturing 2027	2,687		2,661		2,693		2,621
2.85% senior notes due 2029	496		400		495		412
3.10% senior notes due 2032	495		371		495		389


Total	$	7,070	$	6,692	$	7,022	$	6,667

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 7. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As of June 30, 2023, 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. As of June 30, 2023, the Company did not have any derivative contracts with credit-risk-related contingent features.

Changes in fair values of the non-designated foreign exchange contracts are recognized in Other income, net and are largely offset by corresponding changes in the fair values of the foreign-currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. For each of 2023, 2022 and 2021, total net realized and unrealized transaction and foreign exchange contract currency gains and losses were not material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Unrealized gains or losses on designated cash flow hedges are recognized in AOCL. For more information regarding cash flow hedges, see Note 5, Supplemental Financial Statement Data - Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

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 June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 8. Debt

Debt consisted of the following as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022:


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022
	(in millions)
1.50% convertible notes due 2024	$	1,100	$	1,100
4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	2,300		2,300
Variable interest rate Term Loan A-2 maturing 2027	2,700		2,700
2.85% senior notes due 2029	500		500
3.10% senior notes due 2032	500		500


Total debt	7,100		7,100
Issuance costs and debt discounts	(30)		(78)
Subtotal	7,070		7,022
Less current portion of long-term debt	(1,213)		—
Long-term debt	$	5,857	$	7,022

During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company entered into a first amendment (“Amendment No. 1”) and a second amendment (“Amendment No. 2”, and together with Amendment No. 1, the “Credit Agreement Amendments”) to the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2022 which governs the Term-Loan A-2 and the revolving credit facility maturing in January 2027 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).

The Credit Agreement Amendments, among other things, (a) modified the leverage ratio requirements, and (b) introduced a minimum liquidity covenant applicable through the Company’s quarter ending September 27, 2024 and a minimum free cash flow requirement applicable through the Company’s quarter ending December 29, 2023.

The Credit Agreement Amendments also accelerate the due date for amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement from January 7, 2027 to November 2, 2023 if, as of that date, the Company does not have cash and cash equivalents plus available unused capacity under its 2027 Revolving Facility (as defined below) that is at least $1.40 billion plus the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness that matures within 12 months of such date (including the 2024 Convertible Notes and the Delayed Draw Term Loan (as such terms are defined below)).

As amended, the Company is required to comply with maintaining a maximum ratio (“Leverage Ratio”) of total funded debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) at the end of each quarter as follows:


Quarter ending			Leverage ratio
June 30, 2023			5.50 to 1.00
September 29, 2023			N/A(1) to 1.00
December 29, 2023			N/A(1) to 1.00
March 29, 2024			6.25 to 1.00
June 28, 2024			5.25 to 1.00
September 27, 2024			5.00 to 1.00
December 27, 2024			4.50 to 1.00
March 28, 2025			4.00 to 1.00
June 25, 2025			3.75 to 1.00
Thereafter			3.25 to 1.00

(1) Leverage ratio is not required.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

For the purpose of the Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis, except that for the quarters ending March 29, 2024, June 28, 2024 and September 27, 2024, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA shall be: (a) for the quarter ending March 29, 2024, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such quarter multiplied by four, (b) for the quarter ending June 28, 2024, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such quarter and the immediately preceding quarter multiplied by two and (c) for the quarter ending September 27, 2024, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such quarter and the two immediately preceding quarters multiplied by four-thirds.

In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain minimum liquidity (defined as the sum of cash and cash equivalents plus available unused capacity under its 2027 Revolving Facility less the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness that matures within 12 months of such date, excluding indebtedness under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement (as defined below)) of $2.00 billion at the end of each quarter through September 23, 2024, and Free Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of no less than $(550) million as of June 30, 2023, $(500) million as of September 29, 2023 and $(500) million as of December 29, 2023; provided that if Free Cash Flow is greater than the amount noted as of the applicable quarter end date, the amount by which Free Cash Flow exceeds the stated amount may be carried forward to subsequent quarters such that the minimum Free Cash Flow amount for such fiscal quarter is increased by the amount of such excess. As of June 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement also requires the Company to comply with customary covenants that include, among others, limitations on the incurrence of additional debt, liens on property, acquisitions and investments, loans and guarantees, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, asset sales, dividends and other payments in respect of the Company’s capital stock, prepayments of certain debt, transactions with affiliates and certain modifications of organizational documents and certain debt agreements.

The Term Loan A-2 Loan bears interest, at the Company’s option, at a per annum rate equal to either (x) the Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin varying from 1.125% to 2.000% or (y) a base rate plus an applicable margin varying from 0.125% to 1.000%, in each case depending on the corporate family ratings of the Company from at least two of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”), with an initial interest rate of Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.375%. During 2022, the Company made scheduled and voluntary principal payments aggregating $300 million on its Term Loan A-2. $150 million was applied toward scheduled amortization through the quarter ending September 29, 2023 and the remainder towards the principal due at maturity. The annualized interest rate for Term Loan A-2 as of June 30, 2023 was 6.557%. As of June 30, 2023, the remaining balance of Term Loan A-2 amortizes in quarterly installments of $38 million per quarter beginning with the quarter ending December 29, 2023, and the remaining balance is payable at maturity on January 7, 2027. Issuance costs for Term Loan A-2 are amortized to Interest expense over its term and unamortized costs were $13 million as of June 30, 2023.

During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company drew and repaid $1.18 billion principal amount under its $2.25 billion revolving credit facility maturing in January 2027 (the “2027 Revolving Facility”).

Loans under the 2027 Revolving Facility bear interest at a per annum rate, at the Company’s option, equal to either (x) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin varying from 1.125% to 2.000% or (y) a base rate plus an applicable margin varying from 0.125% to 1.000%, in each case depending on the corporate family ratings of the Company from at least two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, with an initial rate of Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.375%. The Company is also required to pay an unused commitment fee on the 2027 Revolving Facility ranging from 0.120% to 0.350% based on the corporate family ratings of the Company from at least two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, with an initial unused commitment fee of 0.200%.

In January 2023, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement”), which allowed the Company to draw a single loan of up to $875 million through June 30, 2023. In June 2023, the Company entered into a first amendment and a second amendment to the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement (as amended, the “Amended Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement”), which together extended the term loan commitments under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement until August 14, 2023, and reduced the term loan commitments from $875 million to $600 million (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”). As of June 30, 2023, the Company had not drawn on the Delayed Draw Term Loan.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

In August 2023, the Company drew the Delayed Draw Term Loan in the amount of $600 million. The principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan will mature on June 28, 2024. However, the due date will be accelerated to November 2, 2023, if, as of that date, the Company does not have cash and cash equivalents plus available unused capacity under its 2027 Revolving Facility that is at least $1.40 billion plus the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness that matures within 12 months (including the 2024 Convertible Notes (as defined below) and the Delayed Draw Term Loan).

The Delayed Draw Term Loan bears interest, at the Company’s option, at a per annum rate equal to either (x) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (as defined in the Amended Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin varying from 1.750% to 2.625% or (y) a base rate plus an applicable margin varying from 0.750% to 1.625%, in each case depending on the corporate family ratings of the Company from at least two of the Credit Rating Agencies (as defined in the Amended Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement). The Company pays an unused commitment fee on the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement of 0.200%.

The key covenants, limitations and requirements provided under the Credit Agreement noted above also apply to the Amended Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement.

In December 2021, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.850% senior notes due February 1, 2029 (the “2029 Senior Notes”) and issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.100% senior notes due February 1, 2032 (the “2032 Senior Notes”) pursuant to the terms of an indenture, dated as of December 10, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Senior Notes Trustee”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated as of December 10, 2021 (the “Senior Notes First Supplemental Indenture”) between the Company and the Senior Notes Trustee. As used herein, “Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Senior Notes First Supplemental Indenture. Interest for both the 2029 Senior Notes and 2032 Senior Notes is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year. The Company is not required to make principal payments on either the 2029 Senior Notes or 2032 Senior Notes prior to their maturity dates.

In February 2018, the Company issued $1.10 billion aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due February 1, 2024 (the “2024 Convertible Notes”). The 2024 Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.50% with interest payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year. The Company is not required to make principal payments on the 2024 Convertible Notes prior to the maturity date.

Holders of the 2024 Convertible Notes may freely convert their 2024 Convertible Notes on or after November 1, 2023 until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date at an initial conversion price of $121.91 per share of common stock. Prior to November 1, 2023, holders may convert their 2024 Convertible Notes based on variations in market price of the Company’s common stock in relation to the conversion price or the trading price of the 2024 Convertible Notes or upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. The Company is required to settle any conversion value with the principal amount of the 2024 Convertible Notes settled in cash and any excess value in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination thereof, pursuant to the terms of an indenture, dated as of February 13, 2018 between the Company, HGST, Inc., WD Media, LLC, Western Digital (Fremont), LLC, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Convertible Notes Trustee”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated as of June 30, 2022 between the Company and the Convertible Notes Trustee. As of June 30, 2023, none of the conditions allowing holders of the Convertible Notes to convert had been met. Since February 5, 2021, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2024 Convertible Notes, at its option, if the market price of the Company’s stock achieves certain levels.

As described in Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 effective July 2, 2022, using a modified retrospective method, which resulted in the elimination of the originally recorded debt discount associated with the conversion feature on the 2024 Convertible Notes. As of June 30, 2023, debt discount and issuance costs of $2 million remained unamortized.

In February 2018, the Company issued $2.30 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2026 (the “2026 Senior Unsecured Notes”). The 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.750% with interest payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The Company is not required to make principal payments on the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes prior to the maturity date. Issuance costs for the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes are amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes and as of June 30, 2023, issuance costs of $7 million remained unamortized.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The indentures and supplemental indentures, as applicable, governing the Company’s 2029 Senior Notes, 2032 Senior Notes, 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2024 Convertible Notes each contain various restrictive covenants, which can include limitations on the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets; create liens; and incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness, and are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions.

In connection with the amendments discussed above, the 2027 Revolving Facility, Term Loan A-2, and the Delayed Draw Term Loan (the “Credit Facilities”) have been unconditionally guaranteed by Western Digital Technologies, Inc. (the “Initial Guarantor”) and are secured on a first-priority basis (subject to permitted liens) by a lien on substantially all assets and properties of the Company and the Initial Guarantor (the “Collateral”), subject to certain exceptions. Furthermore, the obligations under the Company’s 2.850% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.100% Senior Notes due 2032 have been secured by the Collateral on an equal and ratable basis to the obligations under the Credit Facilities for so long as and to the extent required under the terms of the Indenture, and the obligations under the Company’s 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes have been guaranteed by the Initial Guarantor pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 20, 2023 (the “2026 Senior Notes First Supplemental Indenture”) for so long as and to the extent required under the terms of the indenture governing such notes and the 2026 Senior Notes First Supplemental Indenture.

Future Debt Payments

As of June 30, 2023, the required annual future debt payments were as follows:


	Future Debt Payments
	(in millions)
Fiscal year:
2024	$	1,213
2025	150
2026	2,450
2027	2,287
2028	—
2029 and thereafter	1,000
Total debt maturities	7,100
Issuance costs and debt discounts	(30)
Net carrying value	$	7,070

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 9. 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 the Philippines defined benefit pension plans (the “Pension Plans”) are immaterial to the 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:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	294	$	359	$	366
Service cost	14		15		16
Interest cost	6		5		5
Plan amendments	—		9		—
Actuarial loss (gain)	(6)		(31)		(5)
Benefits paid	(8)		(9)		(11)
Settlement/curtailment	(15)		—		—

Non-U.S. currency movement	(12)		(54)		(12)
Projected benefit obligation at end of period	273		294		359
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	189		227		215
Actual return on plan assets	7		—		20
Employer contributions	9		10		11
Benefits paid	(8)		(7)		(11)

Non-U.S. currency movement	(12)		(41)		(8)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	185		189		227
Unfunded status	$	88	$	105	$	132

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


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022
	(in millions)
Current liabilities	$	1	$	1
Non-current liabilities	87		104
Net amount recognized	$	88	$	105

The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plans was $273 million at June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, the accumulated other income pension balance was $2 million. There were no material prior service credits for the Pension Plans recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2023.

Net periodic benefit costs were not material for 2023, 2022, and 2021.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Assumptions

Weighted-Average Assumptions

The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligations for the Pension Plans were as follows:



	2023		2022		2021
Discount rate	2.2	%	2.3	%	1.4	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.4	%	2.3	%	2.0	%

The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit costs for the Pension Plans were as follows:



	2023		2022		2021
Discount rate	2.3	%	1.4	%	1.1	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	2.5	%	2.5	%	2.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.3	%	2.0	%	2.0	%

The Company develops a discount rate by calculating when the estimated benefit payments will be due. Management then matches the benefit payments to high quality bonds which match the timing of the expected benefit payments to determine the appropriate discount rate.

The Company develops the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by analyzing rates of return in each plan as well as the investment portfolio applicable to the plan depending on each plan’s economic environment. The Company’s estimates of future rates of return on assets is based in large part on the projected rate of return from the respective investment managers using a long-term view of historical returns, as well as actuarial recommendations using the most current generational and mortality tables and rates. As of June 30, 2023, the Pension Plans’ assets materially consisted of plan assets related to the Japan pension plan and as such the assumption used herein is primarily related to the Japan pension plan.

The Company develops the rate of compensation increase assumptions using local compensation practices and historical rates of increases.

Plan Assets

Investment Policies and Strategies

The investment policy in the Pension Plans is to generate a stable return on investments over a long-term horizon in order to have adequate pension funds to meet the Company’s future obligations. In order to achieve this investment goal, a diversified portfolio with target asset allocation and expected rate of return is established by considering factors such as composition of participants, level of funded status, capacity to absorb risks and the current economic environment. The target asset allocation is 55% in debt securities, 30% in equity securities, and the remaining 15% in other assets. Risk management is accomplished through diversification, periodic review of plan asset performance and appropriate realignment of asset allocation. Assumptions regarding the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets are periodically reviewed and are based on the historical trend of returns, the risk and correlation of each asset and the latest economic environment.

The expected long-term rate of return is estimated based on many factors, including expected forecast for inflation, risk premiums for each asset class, expected asset allocation, current and future financial market conditions and diversification and rebalancing strategies. Historical return patterns and correlations, consensus return forecasts and other relevant financial factors are analyzed periodically by the investment advisor so as to ensure that the expected long-term rate of return is reasonable and appropriate.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present the Pension Plans’ major asset categories and their associated fair values and net asset values as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022:


	June 30, 2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in millions)
Plan assets measured at fair value:
Equity:

Equity commingled/mutual funds(1)(2)	$	—	$	66	$	—	$	66
Fixed income:

Fixed income commingled/mutual funds(1)(3)	—		89		—		89



Net plan assets subject to leveling	—		155		—		155

Real estate investment trust at net asset value							30
Total investments at fair value	$	—	$	155	$	—	$	185


	July 1, 2022
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in millions)
Plan assets measured at fair value:
Equity:

Equity commingled/mutual funds(1)(2)	$	—	$	63	$	—	$	63
Fixed income:

Fixed income commingled/mutual funds(1)(3)	—		95		—		95



Net plan assets subject to leveling	—		158		—		158

Real estate investment trust at net asset value							31
Total investments at fair value	$	—	$	158	$	—	$	189

(1) Commingled funds represent pooled institutional investments.

(2) Equity mutual funds invest primarily in equity securities.

(3) Fixed income mutual funds invest primarily in fixed income securities.

There were no significant movements of assets between any level categories in 2023 or 2022.

Fair Value Valuation Techniques

Equity securities are valued at the closing price reported on the stock exchange on which the individual securities are traded. Equity commingled/mutual funds are typically valued using the net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the investment manager or administrator of the fund. The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus liabilities and divided by the number of shares or units outstanding. These assets are classified as either Level 1 or Level 2, depending on availability of quoted market prices for identical or similar assets.

If available, fixed income securities are valued using the close price reported on the major market on which the individual securities are traded and are classified as Level 1. The fair value of other fixed income securities is typically estimated using pricing models and quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and is generally classified as Level 2.

Cash equivalents includes money market accounts that are valued at their cost plus interest on a daily basis, which approximates fair value. Short-term investments represent securities with original maturities of one year or less. These assets are classified as either Level 1 or Level 2.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Cash Flows

The Company’s expected employer contributions for 2024 and annual benefit payments over the next five years for its Pension Plans are not expected to be material.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 10. Related Parties and Related Commitments and Contingencies

Flash Ventures

The Company procures substantially all of its flash-based memory wafers from its business ventures with Kioxia Corporation (“Kioxia”), which consists 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 Company has a 49.9% ownership interest and Kioxia has a 50.1% ownership interest in each of these entities. Through Flash Ventures, the Company and Kioxia collaborate in the development and manufacture of flash-based memory wafers, which are manufactured by Kioxia at its wafer fabrication facilities located in Japan using semiconductor manufacturing equipment individually owned or leased by each Flash Ventures entity. Each Flash Ventures entity purchases wafers from Kioxia at cost and then resells those wafers to the Company and Kioxia at cost plus a markup.

Flash Partners. Flash Partners was formed in 2004 in connection with the construction of Kioxia’s “Y3” 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility located in Yokkaichi, Japan.

Flash Alliance. Flash Alliance was formed in 2006 in connection with the construction of Kioxia’s “Y4” 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility located in Yokkaichi, Japan.

Flash Forward. Flash Forward was formed in 2010 in connection with the construction of Kioxia’s “Y5” 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility located in Yokkaichi, Japan. Y5 was built in two phases of approximately equal size.

New Y2. The Company has a facility agreement with Kioxia related to the construction and operation of Kioxia’s “New Y2” 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility located in Yokkaichi, Japan. New Y2 primarily provided additional clean room space to convert a portion of 2-dimensional (“2D”) flash-based wafer production capacity to 3-dimensional (“3D”) flash-based wafer production capacity. Production of flash-based wafers in New Y2 started in 2016.

Y6. The Company also has a facility agreement with Kioxia related to the construction and operation of Kioxia’s “Y6” 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility in Yokkaichi, Japan. Y6 is primarily intended to provide clean room space to continue the transition of existing 2D flash-based wafer capacity to 3D flash-based wafer production capacity. Production of flash-based wafers in Y6 started in 2018.

K1. The Company also has a facility agreement with Kioxia related to the construction and operation of Kioxia’s “K1” 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility 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 has made prepayments toward future K1 building depreciation. As of June 30, 2023, approximately $220 million of such prepayments were available to be credited against future wafer charges.

Y7. In January 2022, the Company entered into additional agreements regarding Flash Ventures’ investment in a new wafer fabrication facility in Yokkaichi, Japan, referred to as “Y7”. The primary purpose of Y7 is to provide clean room space to continue the transition of existing flash-based wafer capacity to newer flash technology nodes. The first phase of construction of Y7 is now complete and has commenced output. The Company is committed to pay, among other things, the remainder of prepayments toward future Y7 building depreciation aggregating approximately $21 million in 2024. The prepayments can be used as credit against future wafer charges. As of June 30, 2023, approximately $355 million of prepayments were available to be credited against future wafer charges.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company accounts for its ownership position of each entity within Flash Ventures under the equity method of accounting. The financial and other support provided by the Company in all periods presented was either contractually required or the result of a joint decision to expand wafer capacity, transition to new technologies or refinance existing equipment lease commitments. Entities within Flash Ventures are VIEs. The Company evaluated whether it is the primary beneficiary of any of the entities within Flash Ventures for all periods presented and determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of any of the entities within Flash Ventures because it does not have a controlling financial interest in any of those entities. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company analyzed the primary purpose and design of Flash Ventures, the activities that most significantly impact Flash Ventures’ economic performance, and whether the Company had the power to direct those activities. The Company concluded, based upon its 49.9% ownership, the voting structure and the manner in which the day-to-day operations are conducted for each entity within Flash Ventures, that the Company lacked the power to direct most of the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of each entity within Flash Ventures.

The following table presents the notes receivable from, and equity investments in, Flash Ventures as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022:


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022
	(in millions)
Notes receivable, Flash Partners	$	37	$	27
Notes receivable, Flash Alliance	48		55
Notes receivable, Flash Forward	709		793
Investment in Flash Partners	160		166
Investment in Flash Alliance	234		243
Investment in Flash Forward	109		112
Total notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	$	1,297	$	1,396

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company made net payments to Flash Ventures of $4.20 billion, $4.70 billion and $4.36 billion, respectively, for purchased flash-based memory wafers and net loans.

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 June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, the Company had Accounts payable balances due to Flash Ventures of $292 million and $320 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 June 30, 2023, 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.


	June 30, 2023
	(in millions)
Notes receivable	$	794
Equity investments	503
Operating lease guarantees	1,694
Inventory and prepayments	1,147
Maximum estimable loss exposure	$	4,138

As of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, the Company’s retained earnings included cumulative undistributed earnings of Flash Ventures of $55 million and $43 million, respectively.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO 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 Flash Ventures entity’s operating cash flow is insufficient to fund these investments.

Flash Ventures has historically operated near 100% of its manufacturing capacity. During 2023, as a result of flash business conditions, the Company temporarily reduced its utilization of its share of Flash Ventures’ manufacturing capacity to an abnormally low level to more closely align the Company’s flash-based wafer supply with projected demand. In 2023, the Company incurred costs of $286 million associated with the reduction in utilization related to Flash Ventures, which was recorded as a charge to Cost of revenue.

In February 2022, contamination of certain material used in manufacturing processes occurred at both the Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Japan fabrication facilities, resulting in damage to inventory units in production, a temporary disruption to production operations and a reduction in the Company’s flash wafer availability. During 2022, the Company incurred charges of $207 million related to this contamination incident that were recorded in Cost of revenue, which primarily consisted of scrapped inventory and rework costs, decontamination and other costs needed to restore the facilities to normal capacity, and under absorption of overhead costs.

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 R&D activities with Kioxia and is contractually committed to a minimum funding level. R&D commitments are immaterial to the 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 June 30, 2023.


	Lease Amounts
	(Japanese yen, in billions)		(U.S. dollar, in millions)
Total guarantee obligations	¥	245	$	1,694

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO 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 June 30, 2023 in U.S. dollars, based upon the Japanese yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate as of June 30, 2023:


Annual Installments	Payment of Principal Amortization		Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms		Guarantee Amount
	(in millions)

2024	$	467	$	90	$	557
2025	269		82		351
2026	309		125		434
2027	115		106		221
2028	29		102		131
Total guarantee obligations	$	1,189	$	505	$	1,694

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 June 30, 2023, no amounts have been accrued in the 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 the years ended June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022 and July 2, 2021, the Company recognized approximately 3%, 4%, and 3% of its consolidated revenue on products distributed by the Unis Venture, respectively. The outstanding accounts receivable due from the Unis Venture were 8% and 5% of Accounts receivable, net as of June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 11. 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 June 30, 2023:

The following table summarizes supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases as of June 30, 2023:


	Lease Amounts
Minimum lease payments by year:	(in millions)
2024	$	49
2025	47
2026	47
2027	42
2028	35
Thereafter	114
Total future minimum lease payments	334
Less: Imputed Interest	50
Present value of lease liabilities	284
Less: Current portion (included in Accrued expenses)	40
Long-term operating lease liabilities (included in Other liabilities )	$	244

Operating lease right-of-use assets (included in Other non-current assets)	$	260

Weighted average remaining lease term in years	7.6
Weighted average discount rate	4.2		%

The following table summarizes supplemental disclosures of operating cost and cash flow information related to operating leases for the year ended June 30, 2023:



	June 30, 2023
	(in millions)
Cost of operating leases	$	57
Cash paid for operating leases	51
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	17

Cost of operating leases was as follows:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Cost of operating leases	$	57	$	58	$	50

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO 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 June 30, 2023, the Company had the following minimum long-term commitments:


	Long-term commitments
	(in millions)
Fiscal year:
2024	$	275
2025	253
2026	61
2027	47
2028	20
Thereafter	130
Total	$	786

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 12. Western Digital Corporation 401(k) Plan

The Company maintains the Western Digital Corporation 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan covers substantially all domestic employees, subject to certain eligibility requirements. Eligible employees receive employer matching contributions immediately upon hire unless the individual is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, provides services as a consultant, intern, independent contractor, leased or temporary employee, or otherwise is not treated as a common-law employee.

Through December 31, 2021, eligible employees were generally able to contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation on a combined pre-tax and Roth basis, 10% on a combined pre-tax catch-up and Roth catch-up basis, and 10% on a non-Roth after-tax basis subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) limitations. Effective January 1, 2022, eligible employees are generally able to contribute up to 85% of their eligible compensation on a combined pre-tax and Roth basis regardless of age, and 10% of their eligible compensation on an after-tax basis by payroll withholding. The Company may make a basic matching contribution equal to 50% of each eligible participant’s contribution that does not exceed 6% of the eligible participant’s annual compensation in the year of contribution. Furthermore, the Company’s employer matching contributions vest immediately. Contributions, including the Company’s matching contribution to the Plan, are recorded as soon as administratively possible after the Company makes payroll deductions from Plan participants.

Effective February 18, 2023, the Company announced its decision to suspend matching contributions. The Company may resume matching contributions at any time at its discretion.

For 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company made Plan contributions of $22 million, $36 million and $34 million, respectively.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 13. Shareholders’ Equity and Convertible Preferred Stock

2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In November 2021, stockholders approved the Western Digital Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). Upon the effective date of the 2021 Plan, no new awards were granted under the Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2021 Plan was amended in 2023 to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the plan by 2.8 million shares of common stock. The aggregate maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards from the 2021 Plan may not exceed (a) 12.0 million shares of common stock plus (b) any shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under a prior plan as of the effective date that on or after the effective date are forfeited, terminated, expire, lapse without being exercised (to the extent applicable), or are otherwise reacquired by the Company. Any shares subject to awards under the 2017 Plan that are cancelled, forfeited, or otherwise terminate without having vested or been exercised, as applicable, will become available for award grants under the 2021 Plan. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2021 Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), RSUs, PSUs, restricted stock and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company’s common stock or units of the Company’s common stock, as well as cash awards. Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan include officers and employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directors of the Company and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The vesting of awards under the 2021 Plan and the 2017 Plan is determined at the date of grant. Each award expires on a date determined at the date of grant; however, the maximum term of options and SARs is ten years after the grant date of the award. RSUs typically vest over periods ranging from two to four years from the date of grant. PSUs are granted to certain employees and vest only after the achievement of pre-determined performance conditions or market conditions and completion of requisite service periods. Once the performance conditions or market conditions are met, vesting of PSUs is generally subject to continued service by the employee. As of June 30, 2023, there were outstanding awards that may vest under the 2017 Plan as well as outstanding awards of stock options under the SanDisk Corporation 2013 Incentive Plan, a plan assumed in connection with the acquisition of SanDisk Corporation, which may affect dilution.

Outstanding RSU and PSU awards have dividend equivalent rights which entitle holders of such outstanding awards to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding unvested RSUs and PSUs. Dividend equivalent rights are accumulated and paid in additional shares when the underlying shares vest.

As of June 30, 2023, the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that was authorized for award grants under the 2021 Plan was 17.0 million shares, which includes shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under certain prior plans as of the effective date of the 2021 Plan that have been forfeited, terminated, expired, lapsed without being exercised or were otherwise reacquired by the Company. Shares issued in respect of all awards granted under the 2021 Plan count against the 2021 Plan’s share limit on a one-for-one basis, whereas under the 2017 Plan, shares issued in respect of awards other than stock options and SARs granted count against the 2017 Plan’s share limit as 1.72 shares for every one share issued in connection with such award. The 2021 Plan will terminate on November 22, 2031, unless terminated earlier by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Company’s ESPP, eligible employees may authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their eligible compensation, subject to IRS limitations, during prescribed offering periods to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at 95% of the fair market value of common stock either at the beginning of that offering period or on the applicable exercise date, whichever is less. A participant may participate in only one offering period at a time, and a new offering period generally begins each June 1st and December 1st. Each offering period is generally 24 months and consists of four exercise dates (each, generally six months following the start of the offering period or the preceding exercise date, as the case may be). If the fair market value of the Company’s common stock is less on a given exercise date than on the date of grant, employee participation in that offering period ends and participants are automatically re-enrolled in the next new offering period.

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company issued 2.7 million, 2.1 million, and 3.2 million shares, respectively, under the ESPP for aggregate purchase amounts of $92 million, $113 million and $115 million, respectively.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

To the extent available, the Company may issue shares out of treasury stock upon the vesting of awards, the exercise of employee stock options and the purchase of shares pursuant to the ESPP.

Stock-based Compensation Expense

The following tables present the Company’s stock-based compensation for equity-settled awards by type and financial statement line as well as the related tax benefit included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:



	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)

RSUs and PSUs	$	283	$	286	$	282
ESPP	35		40		36
Total	$	318	$	326	$	318



	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Cost of revenue	$	49	$	48	$	55
Research and development	152		167		158
Selling, general and administrative	117		111		105

Subtotal	318		326		318
Tax benefit	(43)		(48)		(47)
Total	$	275	$	278	$	271

Any shortfalls or excess windfall tax benefits 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 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 June 30, 2023:


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

RSUs and PSUs (1)	$	464	2.2
ESPP	67		1.4
Total unamortized compensation cost	$	531

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

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO 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


Exercised	(0.4)	44.34			$	6
Canceled or expired	(0.8)	75.42
Options outstanding at July 2, 2021	1.5	72.84
Exercised	(0.2)	43.80			$	3
Canceled or expired	(0.4)	97.65
Options outstanding at July 1, 2022	0.9	66.76

Canceled or expired	(0.6)	80.72
Options outstanding at June 30, 2023	0.3	$	44.95	0.10

No options were granted in 2023, 2022 or 2021. All outstanding options were exercisable at June 30, 2023.

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	8.8	40.40

Vested	(4.5)	60.18		$	196
Forfeited	(1.5)	55.74
RSUs and PSUs outstanding at July 2, 2021	16.1	50.12
Granted	6.9	60.00
Vested	(5.2)	54.27		$	317
Forfeited	(2.4)	52.14
RSUs and PSUs outstanding at July 1, 2022	15.4	52.89
Granted	6.6	41.27

Vested	(6.6)	54.05		$	274
Forfeited	(1.6)	54.56
RSUs and PSUs outstanding at June 30, 2023	13.8	$	46.56

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.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Fair Value Valuation Assumptions

RSU and PSU Grants

The fair value of the Company’s RSU and PSU awards with a performance condition is determined based upon the closing price of the Company’s stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of PSU awards with a market condition is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant.

ESPP — Black-Scholes-Merton Model

The fair value of ESPP purchase rights issued is estimated at the date of grant of the purchase rights using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires the input of assumptions such as the expected stock price volatility and the expected period until options are exercised. Purchase rights under the ESPP are generally granted on either June 1st or December 1st of each year.

The fair values of ESPP purchase rights have been estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:



	2023	2022	2021
Weighted-average expected term (in years)	1.25	1.25	1.25
Risk-free interest rate	4.52%	1.42%	0.10%
Stock price volatility	0.46	0.48	0.56
Dividend yield	—%	—%	—%
Fair value	$9.70	$15.56	$21.59

Convertible Preferred Stock

On January 31, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the designation of 900,000 shares of Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), from the Company’s existing five million authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and issued the Preferred Shares through a private placement for an aggregate purchase price of $900 million, less issuance costs of $24 million.

Dividend provisions

The Preferred Shares will have a stated value of $1,000 per share and accrue a cumulative preferred dividend at an annual rate of 6.25% per annum (increasing to 7.25% per annum on January 31, 2030 and to 8.25% per annum on January 31, 2033) compounded on a quarterly basis. The Preferred Shares will also participate in any dividends declared for common shareholders on an as-converted equivalent basis. As of June 30, 2023, (i) no dividends have been declared or paid since the issuance of the Preferred Shares, and (ii) unpaid and cumulative dividends payable with respect to the Preferred Shares were $24 million.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Conversion rights

The Preferred Shares will be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion rate of $47.75 per share (the “Conversion Price”) (subject to anti-dilution adjustments and certain other one-time adjustments upon the occurrence of various specified spin-off transactions) applied to the aggregate sum of the stated value of the Preferred Shares plus any cumulative accrued but unpaid dividends (the “Accumulated Stated Value”). In the event of a standalone spin-off transaction, the holders of Preferred Shares may have one third of their Preferred Shares converted to a similar class of preferred shares of the spin-off entity. The Preferred Shares will be convertible at the option of the holder upon the earlier of on January 31, 2024, and the date a specified spin-off transaction is completed, unless the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to a sale, merger or combination of the spun-off entity, in which case the twelve (12) month period will be extended until the earlier of the consummation of such transaction or the termination of the definitive agreement. The Preferred Shares will be convertible at the option of the Company after January 31, 2026 if the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds 150% of the Conversion Price for at least 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the Company’s conversion notice. As of June 30, 2023, the Preferred Shares outstanding would have been convertible, if otherwise permitted, into 19 million shares of common stock.

Redemption

After January 31, 2030, the Company will have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem the Preferred Shares for an amount in cash equal to 110% of the Accumulated Stated Value. Redemption is contingently mandatory in the event of a fundamental change in the business as defined in the designation of the Preferred Shares.

The Preferred Shares has been classified as mezzanine equity in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because, in the event of certain fundamental change in the business that are not solely within the control of the Company, the Preferred Shares would become redeemable at the option of the holders. The Company did not adjust the carrying values of the Preferred Shares to the current redemption value of such shares since a liquidation event was not probable at any of the balance sheet dates. Subsequent adjustments to increase or decrease the carrying values to the ultimate redemption value will be made only if and when it becomes probable that such a fundamental change in the business will occur.

Voting right

The Preferred Shares will vote, to the extent permitted under the Nasdaq listing rules, on an as-converted equivalent basis along with holders of the Company’s common stock.

Liquidation preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, holders of the Preferred Shares will be senior to the holders of the Company’s common stock and the liquidation preference is the greater of (i) the sum of an amount in cash equal to 110% of the Accumulated Stated Value plus accrued and unpaid dividends and (ii) the payment that the holders of Preferred Shares would have received had all Preferred Shares been converted into common stock immediately prior to such liquidation, before any distributions are made to common shareholders and all other classes of junior capital stock of the Company. As of June 30, 2023, the total aggregate liquidation preference was $924 million.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors previously authorized a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $5.00 billion of the Company’s common stock, which expired on July 25, 2023. For the year ended June 30, 2023, and through the expiration date of the program, the Company did not make any stock repurchases.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Stock Reserved for Issuance

The following table summarizes all common stock reserved for issuance at June 30, 2023:


			Number of Shares
			(in millions)
Outstanding awards and shares available for award grants			24
ESPP			7

Total			31

Dividends to Shareholders

The Company issued a quarterly cash dividend from the first quarter of 2013 up to the third quarter of 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 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 14. Income Tax Expense

Income (loss) Before Taxes

The domestic and foreign components of Income (loss) before taxes were as follows:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Foreign	$	(2,029)	$	1,384	$	218
Domestic	469		739		709
Income (loss) before taxes	$	(1,560)	$	2,123	$	927

Income Tax Expense

The components of the income tax expense were as follows:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Current:
Foreign	$	153	$	143	$	195
Domestic - Federal	33		341		154
Domestic - State	(6)		25		(1)
	180		509		348
Deferred:
Foreign	8		27		(20)
Domestic - Federal	(36)		84		(208)
Domestic - State	(6)		3		(14)
	(34)		114		(242)
Income tax expense	$	146	$	623	$	106

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 2019. However, the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Services (“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 August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which contained significant law changes related to tax, climate, energy, and health care. The tax measures include, among other things, a corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) of 15% on corporations with three-year average annual adjusted financial statement income (“AFSI”) exceeding $1.00 billion. The corporate alternative minimum tax will be effective for the Company beginning with 2024 and the Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of these legislative changes.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Deferred Taxes

Temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to a significant portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:


	June 30, 2023		July 1, 2022
	(in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Sales related reserves and accrued expenses not currently deductible	$	52	$	71
Accrued compensation and benefits not currently deductible	88		114

Net operating loss carryforward	183		195
Business credit carryforward	478		483
Long-lived assets	56		72
Other	171		178
Total deferred tax assets	1,028		1,113
Deferred tax liabilities:
Long-lived assets	(48)		(128)
Unremitted earnings of certain non-U.S. entities	(297)		(288)
Other	(7)		(17)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(352)		(433)
Valuation allowances	(565)		(580)
Deferred tax assets, net	$	111	$	100

The assessment of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets requires estimations and significant judgment. The Company continues to assess and adjust its valuation allowance based on operating results and market conditions. After weighing both the positive and negative evidence available, including, but not limited to, earnings history, projected future outcomes, industry and market trends and the nature of each of the deferred tax assets, the Company determined that it is able to realize most of its deferred tax assets with the exception of certain loss and credit carryforwards.

The Company is permanently reinvested with respect to certain foreign earnings. There is no unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with the repatriation of these foreign undistributed earnings as it can be achieved without additional federal tax consequences.

100

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Effective Tax Rate

Reconciliation of the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:


	2023		2022		2021
U.S. Federal statutory rate	21	%	21	%	21	%
Tax rate differential on international income	(33)		(9)		8


Tax effect of U.S. foreign income inclusion	(1)		—		5
Tax effect of U.S. foreign minimum tax	—		5		1
Tax effect of U.S. foreign derived intangible income	4		(1)		(14)
Tax effect of U.S. non-deductible stock-based compensation	(1)		1		1
Tax effect of U.S. permanent differences	—		—		1




IRS Tentative Settlement	1		15		—
Change in valuation allowance	1		1		(7)
Unremitted earnings of certain non-U.S. entities	(1)		1		6


Foreign income tax credits	—		(3)		(5)
R&D tax credits	5		(4)		(8)
U.S. return to provision	(2)		—		(3)
Other	(3)		2		5
Effective tax rate	(9)	%	29	%	11	%

Tax Holidays and Carryforwards

A substantial portion of the Company’s manufacturing operations in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand operate under various tax holidays and tax incentive programs, which will expire in whole or in part at various dates during 2024 through 2031. Certain tax holidays and tax incentive programs may be extended if specific conditions are met. The net impact of these tax holidays and tax incentives was an increase to the Company’s net earnings by $140 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, $566 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, and $390 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had varying amounts of federal and state NOL/tax credit carryforwards that do not expire or, if not used, expire in various years. Following is a summary of the Company’s federal and state NOL/tax credit carryforwards and the related expiration dates of these NOL/tax credit carryforwards:


Jurisdiction	NOL/Tax Credit Carryforward Amount		Expiration
	(in millions)
Federal NOL (Pre 2017 Act Generation)	$	594	2024 to 2038

State NOL	374		2032 to 2043
Federal tax credits	51		2024 to 2032
State tax credits	725		No expiration

The federal and state NOLs and credits relating to various acquisitions are subject to limitations under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company expects the total amount of federal and state NOLs ultimately realized will be reduced as a result of these provisions by $116 million and $240 million, respectively. The Company expects the total amount of federal and state credits ultimately realized will be reduced as a result of these provisions by $27 million and $2 million, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had varying amounts of foreign NOL carryforwards that do not expire or, if not used, expire in various years, depending on the country. The major jurisdictions that the Company receives foreign NOL carryforwards and the related amounts and expiration dates of these NOL carryforwards are as follows:


Jurisdiction	NOL Carryforward Amount		Expiration
	(in millions)
Malaysia	$	106	2025 to 2028
Belgium	106		No expiration
Japan	72		2024 to 2031
Spain	45		No expiration
Netherlands	12		2025 to 2026

Uncertain Tax Positions

With the exception of certain unrecognized tax benefits that are directly associated with the tax position taken, unrecognized tax benefits are presented gross in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits excluding accrued interest and penalties:


	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning balance	$	1,047	$	748	$	717
Gross increases related to current year tax positions	7		12		21
Gross increases related to prior year tax positions	22		358		46
Gross decreases related to prior year tax positions	(47)		(65)		(20)
Settlements	(5)		(1)		(9)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(3)		(5)		(7)

Unrecognized tax benefit, ending balance	$	1,021	$	1,047	$	748

As of June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022 and July 2, 2021, the portion of the gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would affect the effective tax rate is $855 million, $903 million, and $612 million, respectively. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions and are recorded in the provision for income taxes. Accrued interest and penalties included in the Company’s liability related to unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022 and July 2, 2021 was $289 million, $254 million and $138 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022 and July 2, 2021, the Company’s payables related to unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest and penalties, were $1.14 billion, $1.16 billion, and $750 million, respectively. The Company believes it is reasonably likely that payments of approximately $720 million to $760 million may be made within the next twelve months and have classified that portion of these unrecognized tax benefits, including interest, in Income taxes payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2023. The remaining payables related to unrecognized tax benefits are included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2023, July 1, 2022 and July 2, 2021.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company files U.S. Federal, U.S. state and foreign tax returns. For both federal and state tax returns, with few exceptions, the Company is subject to examination for 2013 through 2020. The Company is no longer subject to examination by the IRS for periods prior to 2012, although carry forwards generated prior to those periods may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS or state taxing authority if they either have been or will be used in a subsequent period. In the following major foreign jurisdictions where there is no tax holiday, the Company could be subject to examination as noted below:


Jurisdiction						Period Subject to Examination
China (calendar)						2013-2022
Ireland (fiscal)						2019-2022
India (fiscal)						2009-2022
Israel (fiscal)						2014-2022
Japan (fiscal)						2016-2022
Malaysia (fiscal)						2015-2022
Thailand (fiscal)						2013-2022
Singapore (fiscal)						2019-2022
United Kingdom (fiscal)						2021-2022

The Company reached a final agreement with the IRS and received notices of deficiency with respect to years 2008 through 2012. In addition, the Company has tentatively reached a basis for resolving the notices of proposed adjustments with respect to years 2013 through 2015. As of June 30, 2023, the Company has recognized a liability for tax and interest of $753 million related to all years from 2008 through 2015. The Company expects to pay $523 million in the first quarter of 2024 with respect to years 2008 and 2012 and expect to pay any remaining balance with respect to this matter within the next twelve months.

In connection with settlements for years 2008 through 2015, the Company expects to realize reductions to its mandatory deemed repatriation tax obligations and tax savings from interest deductions in future years aggregating to approximately $160 million to $180 million.

The Company believes that adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from any other tax examinations. However, the outcome of such 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 June 30, 2023, with the exception of the tentative settlement with the IRS, 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 relating to the examination of the Company’s tax returns.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 15. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

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



	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions, except per share data)
Net income (loss)	$	(1,706)	$	1,500	$	821
Less: cumulative dividends allocated to preferred shareholders	24		—		—
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	(1,730)	$	1,500	$	821
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	318		312		305
Employee stock options, RSUs, PSUs and ESPP	—		4		4
Diluted	318		316		309
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(5.44)	$	4.81	$	2.69
Diluted	$	(5.44)	$	4.75	$	2.66
Anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded	14		3		5

Basic income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders is computed using (i) net income (loss) less (ii) dividends paid to holders of Preferred Shares less (iii) net income (loss) attributable to participating securities divided by (iv) weighted average basic shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders is computed as (i) basic net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders plus (ii) diluted adjustments to income allocable to participating securities divided by (iii) weighted average diluted shares outstanding. The “if-converted” method is used to determine the dilutive impact for the shares issuable in connection with the 1.50% convertible notes due 2024 and the convertible preferred stock, and the treasury stock method is used to determine the dilutive impact of outstanding employee stock options, RSUs, PSUs, and rights to purchase shares of common stock under the ESPP.

For 2023, the Company recorded a net loss and all shares subject to outstanding equity awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares for the period because their impact would have been anti-dilutive. For 2022 and 2021, the Company excluded common shares subject to certain outstanding equity awards from the calculation of diluted shares because their impact would have been anti-dilutive based on the Company’s average stock price during those periods.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 16. Employee Termination, Asset Impairment, and Other Charges

Business Realignment

The Company periodically incurs charges 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 $8 million, $7 million and $75 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recorded the following charges related to these actions:



	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)




Employee termination benefits	$	176	$	50	$	28












Asset impairments and other charges (gains)	17		(7)		(75)
Total employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges	$	193	$	43	$	(47)

The following table presents an analysis of the components of these activities against the reserve during the year ended June 30, 2023:


	Employee Termination Benefits
	(in millions)












Accrual balance at July 1, 2022	$	17
Charges	176
Cash payments	(162)

Accrual balance at June 30, 2023	$	31

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 17. Legal Proceedings

Tax

For disclosures regarding statutory notices of deficiency issued by the IRS on June 28, 2018 and December 10, 2018, and the status of resolution with respect to certain matters, see Note 14, 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 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a‑15(b) of 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 Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) of the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10‑K. KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, which audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting. See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations of Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does not expect our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a system of internal control over financial reporting, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

Not applicable.

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

There is incorporated herein by reference the information required by this Item included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the year ended June 30, 2023. In addition, our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Ethics that applies to all of our directors, employees and officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The current version of the Code of Business Ethics is available on our website under the Corporate Governance section at www.westerndigital.com. To the extent required by rules adopted by the SEC and The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, we intend to promptly disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the Code of Business Ethics, or waivers of such provisions granted to executive officers and directors, on our website under the Corporate Governance section at www.westerndigital.com.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K:

(1)Financial Statements. The financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this document are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

(2)Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules are omitted as the required information is immaterial, inapplicable or the information is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related Notes.

(3)Exhibits. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, as specified in the Exhibit List, from exhibits previously filed with the SEC. Certain agreements listed in the Exhibit List 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						Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (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 1, 2023)
3.3						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)
4.1						Description of Western Digital Corporation’s Capital Stock (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2021)
4.2						Indenture (including Form of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2026), dated as of February 13, 2018, among Western Digital Corporation; HGST, Inc., WD Media, LLC, Western Digital (Fremont), LLC and Western Digital Technologies, Inc., as guarantors; and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-222762) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2018)
4.3						First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 20, 2023, by and among Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
4.4						Indenture (including Form of 1.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024), dated as of February 13, 2018, among Western Digital Corporation; HGST, Inc., WD Media, LLC, Western Digital (Fremont), LLC and Western Digital Technologies, Inc., as guarantors; and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-222762) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2018)
4.5						First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2022, by and between Western Digital Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2022)
4.6						Indenture, dated as of December 10, 2021, between Western Digital Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2021)
4.7						First Supplemental Indenture (including Form of 2.850% Senior Notes due 2029 and Form of 3.100% Senior Notes due 2032), dated as of December 10, 2021, between Western Digital Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2021)
10.1						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of August 11, 2020 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2021)*



10.1.1						Form of Notice of Grant of Performance Stock Units and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement – Financial Measures, under the Amended and Restated Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2021)*
10.1.2						Form of Notice of Grant of Performance Stock Units and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement – TSR Measure, under the Amended and Restated Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2021)*
10.1.3						Form of Notice and Grant of Performance Stock Units and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement- Financial Measure, under the Amended and Restated Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2021)*
10.1.4						Form of Notice and Grant of Performance Stock Units and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement- TSR Measure, under the Amended and Restated Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2021)*

10.1.5						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Grant Program, amended and restated as of August 16, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2021)*
10.1.6						Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement - Vice President and Above under the Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2018)*
10.1.7						Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement - Vice President and Above under the Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2019)*

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Exhibit Number						Description
10.1.8						Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – Vice President and Above, under the Amended and Restated Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Filed No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2021)*
10.1.9						Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement - Vice President and Above, under the Amended and Restated Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2021)*
10.1.10						Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Western Digital Corporation 2017 Performance Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2018)*


10.2						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of August 25, 2022 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 2022)*
10.2 .1						Form of Notice of Grant of Performance Stock Units and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Western Digital Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2022)*
10.2 .2						Form of Grant Notice for Restricted Stock Unit Award – Vice President and Above, under the Western Digital Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2022)*
10.2.3						Form of Grant Notice for Restricted Stock Unit Award – Vice President and Above, under the Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan†*
10.2.4						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Grant Program, amended and restated as of May 23, 2023†*
10.3						Western Digital Corporation Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan (supersedes the Western Digital Corporation Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan dated August 7, 2019), dated February 9, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2021)*
10.4						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, amended and restated as of August 25, 2022 (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 2022)*
10.5						Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, amended and restated effective January 1, 2013 (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2012)*
10.6						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Change in Control Severance Plan, amended and restated as of May 24, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2021)*
10.7						Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan, amended and restated as of May 24, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2021)*
10.8						Form of Indemnity Agreement for Directors of Western Digital Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2002)*
10.9						Form of Indemnity Agreement for Officers of Western Digital Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2002)*
10.1 0						Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between SanDisk Corporation and its directors and officers (Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2018)*
10.1 1						Offer Letter, dated as of February 18, 2020, to David Goeckeler (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2020)*
10.1 2						Offer Letter, dated as of December 14, 2021, to Wissam Jabre (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2022)*
10.1 3						Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated January 31, 2023, by and between Western Digital Corporation and Elliott Investment Management L.P. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2023)
10.1 4						Investment Agreement, dated January 31, 2023, by and between Western Digital Corporation and AP WD Holdings, L.P. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2023)
10.1 5						Investment Agreement, dated January 31, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, Elliott Associates, L.P. and Elliott International, L.P. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2023)

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Exhibit Number						Description
10.1 6						Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 31, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, AP WD Holdings, L.P., Elliott Associates, L.P. and Elliott International, L.P. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2023)
10.1 7						Restatement Agreement, dated January 7, 2022, by and among Western Digital Corporation, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2022)
10.1 7 .1						Amendment No. 1, dated as of December 23, 2022, to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2022, by and among Western Digital Corporation, each lender party thereto, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2022)
10.1 7 .2						Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 20, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2022, by and among Western Digital Corporation, each lender party thereto, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.18						Loan Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, each lender party thereto, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2023)
10.18 .1						Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 20, 2023, to the Loan Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, each lender party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.18 .2						Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 20, 2023, to the Loan Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, each lender party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.19						Guaranty, dated as of June 20, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.2 0						Guaranty, dated as of June 20, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.2 1						Security Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, Western Digital Technologies, Inc and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Collateral Agent (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.2 2						Security Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2023, by and among Western Digital Corporation, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Collateral Agent (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2023)
10.2 3						Flash Alliance, Master Agreement dated as of July 7, 2006, by and among SanDisk Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and SanDisk (Ireland) Limited (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2022)##
10.2 4						Operating Agreement of Flash Alliance, Ltd., dated as of July 7, 2006, by and between Toshiba Corporation and SanDisk (Ireland) Limited (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2022)##
10.2 5						Joint Venture Restructure Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2009, by and among SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, Toshiba Corporation, Flash Partners Limited and Flash Alliance Limited (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to SanDisk Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-26734) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2009)#
10.2 6						New Y2 Facility Agreement, dated October 20, 2015, by and among SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, SanDisk Flash B.V., Toshiba Corporation, Flash Partners Limited, Flash Alliance Limited and Flash Forward Limited (Filed as Exhibit 10.37 to SanDisk Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-26734) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2016)#
10.2 7						FAL Commitment and Extension Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2017, by and among Western Digital Corporation, SanDisk LLC, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited and Toshiba Memory Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2018)#
10.28						Y6 Facility Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2017, by and among Western Digital Corporation, SanDisk LLC, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk Flash B.V., Flash Partners, Ltd., Flash Alliance, Ltd., Flash Forward, Ltd. and Toshiba Memory Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2018)#

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Exhibit Number						Description
10.29						K1 Facility Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2019, by and among Western Digital, SanDisk LLC, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk Flash B.V., Flash Partners, Ltd., Flash Alliance, Ltd., Flash Forward Ltd., Toshiba Memory Corporation and Toshiba Memory Corporation Iwate (Filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2019)##
10.3 0						Confidential Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2017, by and among Western Digital Corporation, SanDisk LLC, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk Flash B.V., Toshiba Corporation and Toshiba Memory Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2018)#
10.3 1						Confidential Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2017, by and among Western Digital Corporation, SanDisk LLC, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk Flash B.V., Bain Capital Private Equity, L.P., BCPE Pangea Cayman, L.P., BCPE Pangea Cayman2, Ltd., Bain Capital Fund XII, L.P., Bain Capital Asia Fund III, L.P. and K.K. Pangea (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2018)#
10.3 2						Flash Forward Master Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2010, entered into by and among, on one side, Toshiba Corporation and, on the other side, SanDisk Corporation, and SanDisk Flash B.V. (Filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2022)##
10.3 3						Operating Agreement of Flash Forward, Ltd, dated as of March 1, 2011, between Toshiba Corporation and SanDisk Flash B.V. (Filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2022)##
10.3 4						FFL Commitment and Extension Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2017, by and among Toshiba Memory Corporation, Western Digital Corporation, SanDisk LLC and SanDisk Flash B.V. (Filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2022)##
10.3 5						FFL Second Commitment and Extension Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2019, by and among Toshiba Memory Corporation, Toshiba Memory Iwate Corporation, Western Digital Corporation, SanDisk LLC, SanDisk (Cayman) Limited, SanDisk (Ireland) Limited, SanDisk Flash B.V., Flash Partners, Ltd., Flash Alliance, Ltd., and Flash Forward, Ltd. (Filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2022)##
21						Subsidiaries of Western Digital Corporation†
23						Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm†
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.

** Furnished 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.

# Pursuant to a request for confidential treatment, certain portions of this exhibit have been redacted from the publicly filed document and have been furnished separately to the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

## As permitted by Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, certain confidential portions of this exhibit have been redacted from the publicly filed document.

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Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

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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 Annual Report on Form 10‑K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


			WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

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

Dated: August 21, 2023

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Table of Contents

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10‑K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ David V. Goeckeler

Chief Executive Officer, Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

August 21, 2023

David V. Goeckeler

/s/ Wissam Jabre

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

August 21, 2023

Wissam Jabre

/s/ Gene Zamiska

Senior Vice President, Global Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

August 21, 2023

Gene Zamiska

/s/ Matthew E. Massengill

Chairman of the Board

August 21, 2023

Matthew E. Massengill

/s/ Kimberly E. Alexy

Director

August 21, 2023

Kimberly E. Alexy

/s/ Thomas Caulfield

Director

August 21, 2023

Thomas Caulfield

/s/ Martin I. Cole

Director

August 21, 2023

Martin I. Cole

/s/ Tunҫ Doluca

Director

August 21, 2023

Tunҫ Doluca

/s/ Reed B. Rayman

Director

August 21, 2023

Reed B. Rayman

/s/ Stephanie A. Streeter

Director

August 21, 2023

Stephanie A. Streeter

/s/ Miyuki Suzuki

Director

August 21, 2023

Miyuki Suzuki

117

Document

Exhibit 10.2.3

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

GRANT NOTICE FOR

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD – VICE PRESIDENT AND ABOVE

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, Western Digital Corporation (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Participant named below the number of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) listed below (this “Award”) under the Western Digital Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”). Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions in this Grant Notice, the Plan and the Standard Terms and Conditions (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”) of such Plan, attached as Exhibit A hereto. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined here shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.


Name of Participant:
Employee ID
Grant Date:
Grant Number
Number of RSUs:
Vesting Schedule:			The RSUs shall vest in accordance with the following schedule: [ ] Vesting shall be subject to Participant’s Continuous Service from the Grant Date through each applicable vesting date, unless provided otherwise under Section 2 of the Standard Terms and Conditions.

IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GRANT, AND IN ADDITION TO THIS GRANT NOTICE, PARTICIPANT HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE PLAN AND THE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS. PARTICIPANT MAY REJECT THIS AWARD BY NOTIFYING THE COMPANY NO LATER THAN THE FIFTH BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF THIS AWARD DOCUMENT. FAILURE TO REJECT THIS AWARD WITHIN SUCH 5-DAY PERIOD SHALL BE DEEMED ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AWARD AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AWARD DOCUMENT.

Grant Notice for

Restricted Stock Unit Award

EXHIBIT A

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

These Standard Terms and Conditions apply to this Award of Restricted Stock Units granted under the Western Digital Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Restricted Stock Units are also subject to the terms of the Plan and the attached Grant Notice, which are incorporated here by this reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined here shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

1.TERMS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

Western Digital Corporation (the “Company”) has granted to the Participant named in the attached Grant Notice an award of Restricted Stock Units (this “Award” or the “RSUs”) described in the Grant Notice, with each Restricted Stock Unit representing the right to receive one share of Common Stock. For purposes of these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Grant Notice, any reference to the Company shall include a reference to any Subsidiary.

2.VESTING AND SETTLEMENT OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

(a)The Award shall be unvested as of the Grant Date and be forfeitable unless and until otherwise vested pursuant to the terms of the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions. After the Grant Date, subject to termination or acceleration as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, this Award shall become vested as described in the Grant Notice. RSUs that have vested and are no longer subject to forfeiture are referred to as “Vested RSUs.” RSUs that are not vested and remain subject to forfeiture are referred to as “Unvested RSUs.” No portion of this Award, nor the shares of Common Stock subject to this Award, may be deferred under the Western Digital Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (or any applicable successor plan) or any other deferred compensation arrangement of the Company.

(b)Following the vesting of the RSUs on a vesting date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant on the Settlement Date a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of RSUs that vested on such vesting date. The Company may, in its sole discretion, settle any RSUs accrued as dividend equivalents by a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of payment (as opposed to payment in the form of shares of Common Stock). “Settlement Date” means as soon as practicable following the vesting of the RSUs on the applicable vesting date but in no event later than 60 days after the applicable vesting date.

(c)Termination due to Death; Termination without Cause under the Executive Severance Plan. (1) Upon Participant’s termination of Continuous Service due to death or (2) for a Participant who is subject to the terms of the Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan, as applicable (or any applicable successor plan) (the “Executive Severance Plan”) at the time of termination of Continuous Service, then upon Participant’s termination of employment by the Company without Cause (as defined in the Executive Severance Plan) under circumstances that would entitle the Participant to severance benefits under the Executive Severance Plan, subject to compliance with the terms of the Executive Severance Plan any then Unvested RSUs and any credited dividend equivalents held by the Participant shall vest in accordance with the following formula:

(i) (x) a fraction with a numerator equal to the total number of calendar days from the Grant Date of this Award through and including the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service and a denominator equal to the total number of calendar days from the Grant Date of this Award through and including the last scheduled vesting date applicable to this Award multiplied by (y) the total number of shares of Common Stock originally subject to this Award (subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan but before taking into account any crediting of dividend equivalents); minus

(ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that have already vested on or prior to the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service (before taking any accelerated vesting contemplated by this subsection into account and before taking into account any crediting (if applicable) of dividend equivalent rights).

Any Unvested RSUs that do not vest as described above shall be forfeited as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

Exhibit A

Standard Terms and Conditions

(d)Termination without Cause or for Good Reason under the Change in Control Severance Plan. For a Participant who is subject to the terms of the Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Change in Control Severance Plan, as applicable (or any applicable successor plan) (the “CIC Severance Plan”) at the time of termination of Continuous Service, then upon Participant’s termination of employment by the Company without Cause or due to a resignation by Participant for Good Reason (both as defined in the CIC Severance Plan) under circumstances that would entitle the Participant to severance benefits under the CIC Severance Plan, subject to compliance with the terms of the CIC Severance Plan, any then Unvested RSUs held by the Participant and any credited dividend equivalents will vest in full.

(e)Resignation. Upon Participant’s termination of Continuous Service by the Company due to a resignation by Participant for any reason, other than a resignation for Good Reason under circumstances that would entitle the Participant to severance benefits under the CIC Severance Plan, subject to compliance with the terms of the CIC Severance Plan, the Unvested RSUs held by the Participant shall be forfeited as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

(f)Upon Participant’s termination of Continuous Service by the Company for Cause, the entire Award (both Vested RSUs that have yet to be settled and Unvested RSUs) held by the Participant shall be forfeited as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

(g)Non-U.S. Eligible Employees Participating in the Executive Severance Plan and Change in Control Severance Plan. For avoidance of doubt, if Participant is not a U.S. Eligible Employee (as defined in the applicable severance plan), the Participant will only be eligible for the vesting treatment on a termination without Cause as described in Section 2(c) or termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason as described in Section 2(d) in accordance with the terms of the applicable severance plan, which provides that the administrator of such severance plan will compare any Local Severance Benefits (as defined in the applicable severance plan) with the Plan Severance Benefits (as defined in the applicable severance plan) and if the value of the Local Severance Benefits equals or exceeds the value of the Plan Severance Benefits, the Participant will not be eligible to receive the vesting treatment on a termination without Cause as described in Section 2(c) or termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason as described in Section 2(d).

3.RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER; DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

(a)Participant shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company in respect of any RSUs unless and until shares of Common Stock settled for such RSUs shall have been issued by the Company to Participant.

(b)Notwithstanding Section 3(a), from and after the Grant Date and until the earlier of (i) the Participant’s receipt of Common Stock upon settlement of the RSUs and (ii) the time when the Participant’s right to receive Common Stock upon settlement of the RSUs is forfeited, the Participant shall be entitled to receive as a dividend equivalent a number of additional RSUs on the date(s) that the Company pays a cash dividend (if any) to Common Stock holders generally. Such dividend equivalent shall be determined by dividing (i) the product of (A) the dollar amount of the cash dividend paid per share of Common Stock on such date and (B) the total number of RSUs (including dividend equivalents accrued thereon) previously credited to the Participant as of such date, by (ii) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on such date. Such dividend equivalents (if any) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions and shall be settled or forfeited in the same manner and at the same time as the RSUs to which the dividend equivalents were credited. Dividend equivalents shall be settled in whole shares of Common Stock with any dividend equivalents accrued in the form of fractional RSUs settled in cash. However, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company may, in its sole discretion, settle any RSUs credited as dividend equivalents by a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of payment (as opposed to payment in the form of shares of Common Stock). For the avoidance of doubt, in no event will any dividend equivalents credited to RSUs be delivered to the Participant unless and until such RSUs vest and settle.

4.RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES OF SHARES

The Company may impose such restrictions as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Vested RSUs, including (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and other holders and (c) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.

5.INCOME TAXES

The Participant may satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the RSUs by any combination of the following: (i) a cash payment; (ii) a Company deduction from any amounts payable to Participant; (iii) Company withholding of shares from the Common Stock issuable to the Participant in connection with the RSUs (only up to the amount permitted that will not cause an adverse accounting consequence); or (iv) Company withholding a payment from the proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the RSUs. In addition, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion but only to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code, reduce the number of RSUs remaining subject to this Award, with each such RSU to have a value for such purpose equal to the then Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock, to satisfy such withholding obligation at the applicable withholding rates.

6.NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARD

The Participant agrees that, except as otherwise provided in the Plan or as permitted by the Administrator, this Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise directly or indirectly encumbered or disposed of other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to the terms of a qualified domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument.

7.OTHER AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED

The Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding this Award. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this Award are superseded.

8.NO ADDITIONAL RIGHTS

The Participant’s receipt of the RSUs does not confer upon the Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in any capacity and will not affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the service of the Participant.

9.GENERAL

(a)In the event that any provision of these Standard Terms and Conditions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Plan, which is incorporated here by this reference) is declared to be unenforceable by an arbitrator selected in accordance with Section 11 below or a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of these Standard Terms and Conditions shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such unenforceable provision. Furthermore, except as otherwise provided by Section 11, it is the parties’ intent that any order striking any portion of this Award Document and/or the Plan should modify the stricken terms as narrowly as possible to give as much effect as possible to the intentions of the parties hereunder.

(b)The headings preceding the text of the sections in these Standard Terms and Conditions are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of these Standard Terms and Conditions, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect. References to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and not prohibited by the Plan or these Standard Terms and Conditions.

(c)These Standard Terms and Conditions shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

(d)These Standard Terms and Conditions shall be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

(e)In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions shall control. In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Grant Notice shall control.

(f)The RSUs and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, and the income and value of the same, are not part of the Participant’s normal or expected compensation for any purposes including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, holiday pay, long-service awards, leave-related pay, pension or retirement benefits or payments or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Company or the Participant’s employer or any Subsidiary.

(g)All questions under the Plan or under these Standard Terms and Conditions shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion.

(h)This Award will be subject to recoupment in accordance with the Company’s compensation recovery (clawback) policy or policies then in effect. No recovery of compensation under any such policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary.

10.ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

By accepting the Grant Notice, the Participant hereby consents to the delivery of information (including, without limitation, information required to be delivered to the Participant pursuant to applicable securities laws) regarding the Company and the Subsidiaries, the Plan, and the RSUs via Company web site or other electronic delivery.

11.ARBITRATION

Any controversy arising out of or relating to the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions, and/or the Plan (“Covered Claims”), shall be resolved in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Dispute Resolution Agreement (the “DRA”).

If, however, Participant has opted out of the DRA, any Covered Claims shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to this Section 11. Such arbitration shall be held in Orange County, California, U.S.A., before a sole arbitrator selected from Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc., Orange, California, or its successor (“JAMS”), or if JAMS is no longer able to supply the arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be selected from the American Arbitration Association, and shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act; provided, however, that provisional injunctive relief may, but need not, be sought by either party in a court of law to maintain the status quo while arbitration proceedings are pending, and any provisional injunctive relief granted by such court shall remain effective until the matter is finally determined by the arbitrator. Any such action for provisional injunctive relief shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Chancery Court and each party consents to jurisdiction with respect to any such action in Delaware Chancery Court. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Participant and the Company agree to bring any Covered Claims on an individual basis only, and not on a class, collective, joint, or representative basis. If, however, the preceding sentence be determined invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction and not by an arbitrator with respect to any particular Covered Claim, then that Covered Claim will not proceed in arbitration but rather will be resolved in a court of competent jurisdiction for that Covered Claim only. All other Covered Claims must be resolved in arbitration on an individual basis. Any award or relief granted by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participant and may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction.

The Company shall be responsible for payment of the forum costs of any arbitration hereunder, including the arbitrator’s fee. Each party shall bear its own attorney’s fees and costs (other than forum costs associated with the arbitration) incurred by it or him or her in connection with the resolution of the dispute. If, however, any party prevails on a statutory claim, which affords the prevailing party attorneys’ fees and costs, then the arbitrator may award reasonable fees and costs to the prevailing party. The parties agree that they are hereby waiving any rights to trial by jury in relation to any matter arising out of or in any way connected with any Covered Claim(s).

12.NON-U.S. EMPLOYEES

The Award shall be subject to any additional terms and conditions for non-U.S. employees set forth in Appendix A (“Appendix A”) and any terms and conditions for the Participant’s country set forth in Appendix B (“Appendix B”). Moreover, if the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in Appendix B, the terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Participant to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. Appendix A and Appendix B constitute part of the Agreement.

APPENDIX A

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD DOCUMENT
FOR NON-U.S. EMPLOYEES

1.Terms of Plan Participation for Non-U.S. Participants

The Participant understands that this Appendix A contains additional terms and conditions that, together with the Plan and the Award Document, govern the Participant’s participation in the Plan if the Participant is working or resident in a country other than the United States. The Participant further understands that the Participant’s participation in the Plan also will be subject to any terms and conditions for the Participant’s country set forth in Appendix B. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Appendix A shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan and/or Award Document.

2.Withholding Taxes

The following provision supplements Section 5 of the Standard Terms and Conditions:

The Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, the Participant’s employer (“Employer”), the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and this Award and legally applicable to the Participant (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (a) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs; and (b) are not obligated to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the RSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. If the Participant is or becomes subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

The Participant agrees, in connection with any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy the obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the methods set forth in Section 8(f) of the Plan and Section 5 of the Standard Terms and Conditions. In addition, the Participant authorizes withholding from proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired upon settlement of the RSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Participant’s behalf pursuant to this authorization without further consent). If the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then withholding for Tax-Related Items shall be satisfied in accordance with Section 8(f) of the Plan, Section 5 of the Standard Terms and Conditions, and the withholding methodology approved by the Administrator for officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

Depending on the withholding method, the Company and/or the Employer may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates. In the event of over-withholding, the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the equivalent in Common Stock from the Company or the Employer; otherwise, the Participant may be able to seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, the Participant may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Employer. If the Tax-Related Items are satisfied by withholding in shares of Common Stock, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of shares subject to the vested RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

The Participant further agrees to pay to the Company or the Employer, any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the shares of Common Stock or the proceeds from the sale of shares if the Participant fails to comply with the Participant’s obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

3.Nature of Grant

By accepting the RSUs and any shares of Common Stock, the Participant agrees that:

(a)the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;

Appendix A

(b)the grant of the RSUs is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of RSUs, or benefits in lieu of RSUs, even if RSUs have been granted in the past;

(c)all decisions with respect to future RSUs or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d)the Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(e)the RSUs and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, and the income and value of the same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(f)the RSUs and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, and the income and value of the same, are not part of the Participant’s normal or expected compensation for any purposes including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, holiday pay, long-service awards, leave-related pay, pension or retirement benefits or payments or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Company or the Employer or any Subsidiary;

(g)the future value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(h)unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the RSUs and the shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, and the income and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service the Participant may provide as a director of any Subsidiary;

(i)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the RSUs resulting from the termination of the Participant’s employment (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where the Participant is employed or providing services, or the terms of the Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any);

(j)unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the RSUs and the benefits evidenced by the Award Document do not create any entitlement to have the RSUs or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor to be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the shares; and

(k)neither the Company, the Employer nor any Subsidiary shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between the Participant’s local currency and the U.S. dollar that may affect the value of the RSUs or of any amounts due to the Participant pursuant to the vesting of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of any shares of Common Stock acquired upon vesting.

4.Data Privacy

By accepting the RSUs via the Company’s acceptance procedure, the Participant is declaring that he or she agrees with the data processing practices described herein and consents to the collection, processing and use of Personal Data (as defined below) by the Company and the transfer of Personal Data to the recipients mentioned herein, including recipients located in countries which do not adduce an adequate level of protection from a European (or other non-U.S.) data protection law perspective, for the purposes described herein.

(a)Declaration of Consent. The Participant understands that he or she needs to review the following information about the processing of the Participant’s personal data by or on behalf of the Company, the Employer and/or any Subsidiary as described in this Award Document and any other RSU grant materials (the “Personal Data”) and declare his or her consent. As regards the processing of the Participant’s Personal Data in connection with the Plan and this Award Document, the Participant understands that the Company is the controller of the Participant’s Personal Data.

(b)Data Processing and Legal Basis. The Company collects, uses and otherwise processes Personal Data about the Participant for the purposes of allocating shares of Common Stock and implementing, administering and managing the Plan. The Participant understands that this Personal Data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance number, passport number or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company or its Subsidiaries, details of all RSUs or any other entitlement to shares of stock or equivalent benefits awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor. The legal basis for the processing of the Participant’s Personal Data will be the Participant’s consent.

(c)Stock Plan Administration Service Providers. The Participant understands that the Company transfers the Participant’s Personal Data, or parts thereof, to E*TRADE Financial Corporation Services, Inc. (and its affiliated companies), an independent service provider based in the United States or IBI Capital for Israeli employees, each of which assists the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. In the future, the Company may select a different service provider and share the Participant’s Personal Data with such different service provider that serves the Company in a similar manner. The Participant understands and acknowledges that the Company’s service provider will open an account for the Participant to receive and trade shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan and that the Participant will be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with the service provider, which is a condition of the Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

(d)International Data Transfers. The Participant understands that the Company and, as of the date hereof, any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, such as the Company’s service providers, are based in the United States. If the Participant is located outside the United States, the Participant understands and acknowledges that the Participant’s country has enacted data privacy laws that are different from the laws of the United States. Transfers of personal data from the EEA or the United Kingdom to the United States can be made on the basis of Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, United Kingdom or other appropriate safeguards permissible under the applicable law. If the Participant is located in the EU, EEA or the United Kingdom, the Company may receive, process and transfer the Participant’s Personal Data onward to third-party service providers solely on the basis of appropriate data transfer agreements or other appropriate safeguards permissible under applicable law. If applicable, the Participant understands that the Participant can ask for a copy of the appropriate data processing agreements underlying the transfer of the Participant’s Personal Data by contacting the Participant’s local human resources representative. The Company’s legal basis for the transfer of the Participant’s Personal Data is the Participant’s consent.

(e)Data Retention. The Company will hold and use the Data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage participation in the Plan or as required to comply with tax, exchange control, labor and securities laws, other applicable law, exercise or defense of legal rights, and archiving, back-up and deletion processes. This period may extend beyond the Participant's period of employment with the Employer.

(f)Voluntariness and Consequences of Denial/Withdrawal of Consent. Participation in the Plan is voluntary and the Participant is providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis. If the Participant does not consent, or later seeks to revoke their consent, the Participant's salary from or employment or other service with the Employer will not be affected; the only consequence of refusing or withdrawing consent is that the Company would not be able to grant RSUs or other equity awards to the Participant or administer or maintain such awards.

(g)Data Subject Rights. The Participant understands that data subject rights regarding the processing of personal data vary depending on the applicable law and that, depending on where the Participant is based and subject to the conditions set out in the applicable law, the Participant may have, without limitation, the rights to (i) inquire whether and what kind of Personal Data the Company holds about the Participant and how it is processed, and to access or request copies of such Personal Data, (ii) request the correction or supplementation of Personal Data about the Participant that is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date in light of the purposes underlying the processing, (iii) obtain the erasure of Personal Data no longer necessary for the purposes underlying the processing, processed based on withdrawn consent, processed for legitimate interests that, in the context of the Participant’s objection, does not prove to be compelling, or processed in non-compliance with applicable legal requirements, (iv) request the Company to restrict the processing of the Participant’s Personal Data in certain situations where the Participant feels its processing is inappropriate, (v) object, in certain circumstances, to the processing of Personal Data for legitimate interests, and to (vi) request portability of the Participant’s Personal Data that the Participant has actively or passively provided to the Company (which does not include data derived or inferred from the collected data), where the processing of such Personal Data is based on consent or the Participant’s employment or service contract and is carried out by automated means. In case of concerns, the Participant understands that the Participant may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent local data protection authority. Further, to receive clarification of, or to exercise any of, the Participant’s rights the Participant understands that the Participant should contact the Participant’s local human resources representative.

(h)Alternate Basis and Additional Consents. Finally, the Participant understands that the Company may rely on a different basis for the processing or transfer of Personal Data in the future and/or request that the Participant provide another data privacy consent. If applicable, the Participant agrees that upon request of the Company or the Employer, the Participant will provide an executed acknowledgement or data privacy consent form (or any other agreements or consents) that the Company and/or the Employer may deem necessary to obtain from the Participant for the purpose of administering the Participant’s participation in the Plan in compliance with the data privacy laws in the Participant’s country, either now or in the future. The Participant understands and agrees that he or she will not be able to participate in the Plan if he or she fails to provide any such consent or agreement requested by the Company and/or the Employer.

5.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance

The Participant agrees that the Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver by email or other electronic means any documents relating to the Plan or the RSUs. Further, the Participant agrees to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or by a third party designated by the Company.

6.Insider Trading/Market Abuse Laws

The Participant agrees to comply with the Company’s policy on insider trading (to the extent that it is applicable to the Participant). Depending on the Participant’s country or the designated broker's country or country where the Common Stock is listed, the Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect the Participant’s ability to accept, acquire, sell, attempt to sell or otherwise dispose of Common Stock, rights to Common Stock (e.g., the RSUs) or rights linked to the value of Common Stock (e.g., phantom awards, futures) during such times as the Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws or regulations in the Participant’s country). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders the Participant placed before possessing inside information. Furthermore, the Participant could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. Third parties include fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy. The Participant is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and should consult his or her personal legal advisor on this matter.

7.Exchange Control, Tax and/or Foreign Asset/Account Reporting

The Participant acknowledges that there may be exchange control, tax, foreign asset and/or account reporting requirements which may affect the Participant’s ability to acquire or hold shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan (including from any dividend equivalents paid with respect to the RSUs or dividends paid on shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan) in a brokerage/bank account or legal entity outside the Participant’s country. The Participant may be required to report such accounts, assets, the balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the tax or other authorities in the Participant’s country. The Participant also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan to the Participant’s country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. In addition, the Participant agrees to take any and all actions, and consent to any and all actions taken by the Company or the Employer as may be required to allow the Company or the Employer to comply with local laws, rules and regulations in the Participant's country of residence (and country of employment, if different). The Participant acknowledges that it is the Participant’s responsibility to be compliant with such regulations, and the Participant should consult his or her personal legal advisor for any details.

8.Language

The Participant acknowledges that he or she is sufficiently proficient in English, or has consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English so as to allow the Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Award Document. Furthermore, if the Award Document or any other document related to the Plan has been translated into a language other than English and the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control

Document

Exhibit 10.2.4

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

AMENDED AND RESTATED NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT PROGRAM

1.Establishment. The Company maintains the Western Digital Corporation Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Program (the “Program”), which is hereby amended and restated in its entirety effective as of May 23, 2023 (the “Effective Date”). This amendment and restatement of the Program is effective as to grants on and after the Effective Date; awards granted under the Program prior to the Effective Date are governed by the applicable terms of the Program as in effect on the date of grant of the award. Any shares of Common Stock issued with respect to Restricted Stock Unit Awards granted under the Program shall be charged against the applicable share limits of the Western Digital Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Plan”). For the avoidance of doubt, the grant of a Cash Award, and its subsequent settlement, shall in no event reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions of the Plan shall govern all awards made pursuant to the Program. Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan if not defined herein.

2.Purpose. The purpose of the Program is to promote the success of the Company and the interests of its stockholders by providing a means to attract and retain qualified persons who are not officers or employees of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries to serve as members of the Board (“Non-Employee Directors”) through an opportunity to receive Cash Awards or to acquire an ownership interest in the Company and more closely aligning the interests of Non-Employee Directors and stockholders.

3.Participation. A Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Program shall be made only to Non-Employee Directors, shall be evidenced by a Notice of Award of Restricted Stock Units substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1 hereto and shall be further subject to such other terms and conditions set forth therein. As used in the Program, the term “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a non-voting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding share of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 of the Plan) solely for purposes of the Program. Restricted Stock Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the number of shares of Common Stock to eventually be delivered to a Non-Employee Director if Restricted Stock Units held by such Non-Employee Director vest pursuant to Section 7 or Section 9. Restricted Stock Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind. Restricted Stock Units granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to the Program shall be credited to an unfunded bookkeeping account maintained by the Company on behalf of the Non-Employee Director (a “Program Account”).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any Non-Employee Director who serves as a member of the Board pursuant to a contractual right of an investor of the Company (an “Investor Designated Director”) shall receive his or her award in the form of a Cash Award in lieu of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as evidenced by a Notice of Cash Award substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 2 hereto. As used in the Program, the term “Cash Award” shall mean an award of cash that is granted under the Plan. A Cash Award under the Program shall be made only to Investor Designated Directors and shall be further subject to such other terms and conditions set forth therein.

4.Annual Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

4.1Annual Awards. On the date of and immediately following the Company’s regular annual meeting of stockholders in each year during the term of the Plan

commencing with 2021, each Non-Employee Director who is not an Investor Designated Director then in office shall be granted automatically (without any action by the Board or the Administrator) a Restricted Stock Unit Award with respect to a number (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of Restricted Stock Units equal to (i) $240,000 ($290,000 in the case of a Non-Employee Director then serving as Chair of the Board and $280,000 in the case of a Non-Employee Director then serving as Lead Independent Director), divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable annual meeting date (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 of the Plan). An individual who was previously a member of the Board, who then ceased to be a member of the Board for any reason, and who then again becomes a Non-Employee Director shall thereupon again become eligible to be granted Restricted Stock Units under this Section 4.1.

4.2Initial Award for New Directors. Upon first being appointed or elected to the Board, a Non-Employee Director who is not an Investor Designated Director and who has not previously served on the Board shall be granted automatically (without any action by the Board or the Administrator) a Restricted Stock Unit Award with respect to a number of Restricted Stock Units equal to (i) the number of Restricted Stock Units in the annual Restricted Stock Unit Award immediately preceding the date such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board, divided by (ii) 365, multiplied by (iii) the number of days from the date such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board to the scheduled date of the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders.

4.3Transfer Restrictions. Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Section 4 shall be non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge and any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Restricted Stock Units shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the Non-Employee Director to whom such Restricted Stock Units were granted.

5.Annual Cash Awards.

5.1 Annual Awards. On the date of and immediately following the Company’s regular annual meeting of stockholders in each year during the term of the Plan commencing with 2023, each Investor Designated Director then in office shall be granted automatically (without any action by the Board or the Administrator) a Cash Award with a value equal to $240,000 ($290,000 in the case of an Investor Designated Director then serving as Chair of the Board and $280,000 in the case of an Investor Designated Director then serving as Lead Independent Director). An individual who was previously a member of the Board, who then ceased to be a member of the Board for any reason, and who then again becomes an Investor Designated Director shall thereupon again become eligible to be granted a Cash Award under this Section 5.1.

5.2Initial Award for New Directors. Upon first being appointed or elected to the Board, an Investor Designated Director who has not previously served on the Board shall be granted automatically (without any action by the Board or the Administrator) a Cash Award in an amount equal to (i) $240,000 ($290,000 in the case of an Investor Designated Director then serving as Chair of the Board and $280,000 in the case of an Investor Designated Director then serving as Lead Independent Director) divided by (ii) 365, multiplied by (iii) the number of days from the date such Investor Designated Director is first appointed or elected to the Board to the scheduled date of the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders.

5.3Transfer Restrictions. Cash Awards granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge and any cash payable pursuant to the Cash Award shall be delivered only to the Investor Designated Director to whom such Cash Award was granted, or his or her designee, if applicable.

6.Dividend and Voting Rights.

6.1Limitation of Rights Associated with Restricted Stock Units. A Non-Employee Director shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, no dividend rights (except as expressly provided in Section 6.2 with respect to dividend equivalent rights) and no voting rights, with respect to Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Program and any shares of Common Stock underlying or issuable in respect of such Restricted Stock Units until such shares of Common Stock are actually issued to and held of record by the Non-Employee Director. No adjustments will be made for dividends or other rights of a holder for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of the stock certificate.

6.2Dividend Equivalent Rights. As of any date that the Company pays a dividend (other than in shares of Common Stock) upon issued and outstanding Common Stock, or makes a distribution (other than in shares of Common Stock) with respect thereto, a Non-Employee Director’s Program Account shall be credited with an additional number (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of Restricted Stock Units equal to (i) the “fair value” of any dividend (or other distribution) with respect to one share of Common Stock, multiplied by (ii) the number of unpaid Restricted Stock Units credited to the Non-Employee Director’s Program Account immediately prior to such dividend or distribution, divided by (iii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of payment of such dividend or distribution. In the case of a cash dividend or distribution, the “fair value” thereof shall be the amount of such cash, and, in the case of any other dividend or distribution (other than in shares of Common Stock), the “fair value” thereof shall be such amount as shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator. Restricted Stock Units credited pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2 shall be subject to the same vesting, payment and other terms, conditions and restrictions as the original Restricted Stock Units to which they relate. No adjustment shall be made pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan as to Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Program in connection with any dividend (other than in shares of Common Stock) or distribution (other than in shares of Common Stock) for which dividend equivalents are credited pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2. Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Program shall otherwise be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan (for example, and without limitation, in connection with a split or reverse split of the outstanding Common Stock).

7.Vesting. Subject to Section 9 hereof and Section 9 of the Plan, a Restricted Stock Unit Award or Cash Award granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to the Program (whether pursuant to Section 4, Section 5 or Section 6.2) (an “Award”) shall vest and become payable as to 100% of the total number of Restricted Stock Units or cash, as applicable, subject thereto on the first to occur of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant of the Award or (ii) immediately prior to the Company’s first regular meeting of stockholders following the date of grant of the Award.

8.Continuation of Services. The vesting schedule requires continued service through each applicable vesting date as a condition to the vesting of the applicable installment of an Award and the rights and benefits under the Program. Service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle a Non-Employee Director to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination

of services as provided in Section 9 below. Nothing contained in the Program constitutes a continued service commitment by the Company, confers upon a Non-Employee Director any right to remain in service to the Company, interferes with the right of the Company at any time to terminate such service, or affects the right of the Company to increase or decrease a Non-Employee Director’s other compensation.

9.Termination of Directorship. Subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan, if a Non-Employee Director incurs a Separation from Service (as defined below) for any reason, the following rules shall apply with respect to any Award granted to the Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 4 or 5 above:

•other than as expressly provided below in this Section 9, all Awards granted to the Non-Employee Director pursuant to the Program that have not vested as of the Non-Employee Director’s Separation from Service, shall immediately terminate without payment therefor;

•if the Non-Employee Director’s Separation from Service occurs due to his or her death or Disability (as defined below), all Awards granted to the Non-Employee Director pursuant to the Program shall immediately vest and become payable as provided in Section 10 below; and

•if the Non-Employee Director ceases to be a member of the Board due to his or her Removal (as defined below), all then-unvested Awards granted to the Non-Employee Director pursuant to the Program shall immediately terminate without payment therefor.

For purposes of this Section 9, the term “Disability” shall mean a period of disability during which a Non-Employee Director qualified for permanent disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or, if the Non-Employee Director does not participate in such a plan, a period of disability during which the Non-Employee Director would have qualified for permanent disability benefits under such a plan had the Non-Employee Director been a participant in such a plan, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. If the Company does not sponsor such a plan, or discontinues to sponsor such a plan, Disability shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. For purposes of this Section 9, the term “Removal” shall mean the removal of a Non-Employee Director from the Board, with or without cause, in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or the Delaware General Corporation Law. For purposes of this Section 9, the term “Separation from Service,” with respect to a Non-Employee Director, shall mean the date the Non-Employee Director ceases to be a member of the Board (regardless of the reason); provided, however, that if the Non-Employee Director is immediately thereafter employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, such director’s Separation from Service shall be the date such director incurs a “separation from service” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

10.Timing and Manner of Payment of Awards. Except as provided in Section 11 below, on or within thirty (30) business days following the first to occur of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant of the Award, or (ii) the Non-Employee Director’s Separation from Service, the Company shall deliver to the Non-Employee Director a number of shares of Common Stock (either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares or by entering such shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units (if any), or an amount in cash, as applicable, that vested with respect to the corresponding Award in accordance with the provisions hereof, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 of the Plan; provided, however, that, to the extent permitted by the Company’s Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), a Non-Employee Director may elect to defer

receipt of any or all shares of Common Stock payable, or cash payable, as applicable, with respect to an Award that vests pursuant to the Program. Such elections shall be made, and any such deferral shall be effected and administered, in accordance with the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company’s obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock or cash, as applicable, with respect to a vested Award is subject to the condition precedent that the Non-Employee Director (or other person entitled under the Plan to receive shares of Common Stock or cash, as applicable, with respect to the vested Award) deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances the Company may require with respect to compliance with applicable laws. A Non-Employee Director shall have no further rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units that are paid or that are terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof or Section 9 of the Plan, and such Restricted Stock Units shall be removed from the Non-Employee Director’s Program Account upon the date of such payment or termination.

11.Change in Control Events. An Award may vest and become payable in connection with the occurrence of certain events involving the Company as provided for in Section 9 of the Plan; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Program or the Plan, if the event giving rise to such accelerated vesting is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control” of the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, or an acceleration of payment of the Award would otherwise result in any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, then payment with respect to such vested Award shall not be made until such Award would have become vested and payable without regard to this Section 11 or Section 9 of the Plan.

12.Plan Provisions; Maximum Number of Shares; Amendment; Administration; Construction. Awards granted under the Program shall otherwise be subject to the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan). If Restricted Stock Unit Awards otherwise required pursuant to the Program would otherwise exceed any applicable share limit under Section 3(a) of the Plan, such grants shall be made pro-rata to Non-Employee Directors entitled to such grants. The Board may from time to time amend the Program without stockholder approval; provided that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the rights of a Non-Employee Director as to an Award granted under the Program before the adoption of such amendment. The Board may amend, modify, suspend or terminate outstanding Awards; provided, however, that outstanding Awards shall not be amended, modified, suspended or terminated so as to impair any rights of the recipient of the Award without the consent of such recipient. If any such amendment or modification to an outstanding Award has the result of accelerating the vesting of such Award, then any election that had been made to defer receipt of payment with respect to all or any portion of the Award pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan shall be disregarded. The Program does not limit the Board’s authority to make other, discretionary grants of Awards to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to the Plan. The Administrator’s power and authority to construe and interpret the Plan and Awards thereunder pursuant to Section 2 of the Plan shall extend to the Program and Awards granted hereunder. As provided in Section 2(f) of the Plan, all determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Administrator in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons. It is intended that the terms of the Program and all Awards granted under the Program will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. The Program and all Awards granted hereunder shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.

###

Document

Exhibit 21

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY


Name of Entity			State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
Amplidata N.V.			Belgium
EasyStore Memory Limited			Ireland
Fusion-io LLC			Delaware
Fusion-io Poland SP.Z.O.O.			Poland
Fusion-io Singapore Private Ltd			Singapore
HGST (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.			China
HGST Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.			China
HGST Europe, Ltd.			United Kingdom
HGST Japan, Ltd.			Japan
HGST Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.			Malaysia
HGST Netherlands B.V.			Netherlands
HGST Singapore Pte. Ltd.			Singapore
HGST Technologies India Private Limited			India
HGST Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.			Malaysia
HICAP Properties Corp.			Philippines
Keen Personal Media, Inc.			Delaware
Pacifica Insurance Corporation			Hawaii
Prestadora SD, S. de R.L. de C.V.			Mexico
Read-Rite Philippines, Inc.			Philippines
Sandbox Expansion LLC			Delaware
SanDisk (Cayman) Limited			Cayman Islands
SanDisk (Ireland) Limited			Ireland
SanDisk 3D IP Holdings Ltd			Cayman Islands
SanDisk China Limited			Ireland
SanDisk China LLC			Delaware
SanDisk Flash B.V.			Netherlands
SanDisk Hong Kong Limited			Hong Kong
SanDisk India Device Design Centre Private Limited			India
SanDisk Information Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.			China
SanDisk International Limited			Ireland
SanDisk International Middle East FZE			United Arab Emirates
SanDisk Italy S.R.L.			Italy
SanDisk Korea Limited			Korea
SanDisk LLC			Delaware
SanDisk Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.			Malaysia
SanDisk Manufacturing Americas, LLC			Delaware
SanDisk Pazarlama Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi			Turkey


SanDisk Scotland, Limited			United Kingdom
SanDisk Semiconductor (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.			China
SanDisk Spain, S.L.U.			Spain
SanDisk Storage Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.			Malaysia
SanDisk Sweden AB			Sweden
SanDisk Switzerland Sarl			Switzerland
SanDisk Taiwan Limited			Taiwan
SanDisk Technologies LLC			Texas
SanDisk Technologies India Private Limited			India
SanDisk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.			China
SanDisk Trading Holdings Limited			Ireland
SanDisk UK, Limited			United Kingdom
SD International Holdings Ltd.			Cayman Islands
SMART Storage Systems GmbH			Austria
STEC International Holding, LLC			California
Suntech Realty, Inc.			Philippines
Virident Systems International Holdings Ltd.			Cayman Islands
Virident Systems, LLC			Delaware
WD Media (Malaysia) Sdn.			Malaysia
WD Technologies Nigeria Limited			Nigeria
Western Digital (Argentina) S.A.			Argentina
Western Digital (France) SARL			France
Western Digital (I.S.) Limited			Ireland
Western Digital (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.			Malaysia
Western Digital (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.			Singapore
Western Digital (UK) Limited			United Kingdom
Western Digital (Vietnam) Limited Liability Company			Vietnam
Western Digital Australia Pty Ltd			Australia
Western Digital Canada Corporation			Ontario, Canada
Western Digital Capital Global, Ltd.			Cayman Islands
Western Digital Capital, LLC Western Digital Denmark ApS			Delaware Denmark
Western Digital Deutschland GmbH			Germany
Western Digital Do Brasil Comercio E Distribuicao De Produtos De Informatica Ltda.			Brazil
Western Digital Federal, LLC			Delaware
Western Digital GK			Japan
Western Digital Hong Kong Limited			Hong Kong
Western Digital Information Technology (Shanghai) Company Ltd.			China
Western Digital International Ltd.			Cayman Islands
Western Digital Ireland, Ltd.			Cayman Islands
Western Digital Israel Ltd.			Israel
Western Digital Korea, Ltd.			Korea


Western Digital Latin America, LLC			Delaware
Western Digital Storage Technology Innovation Center (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.			China
Western Digital Storage Technologies (Philippines) Corp.			Philippines
Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) Ltd.			Thailand
Western Digital Taiwan Co., Ltd.			Taiwan
Western Digital Tech and Regional Center (M) Sdn. Bhd.			Malaysia
Western Digital Technologies, Inc.			Delaware

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Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors

Western Digital Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-41423, 333-122475, 333-129813, 333-155661, 333-163133, 333-180286, 333-185194, 333-191216, 333-191910, 333-202646, 333-207842, 333-211420, 33-60168, 333-221407, 333-228331, 333-235257, 333-250968, 333-261184, and 333-268479), and the registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-259102) of our report dated August 21, 2023, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Western Digital Corporation and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Santa Clara, California

August 21, 2023

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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 Annual Report on Form 10-K 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: August 21, 2023

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Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

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

I, Wissam Jabre, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K 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/ Wissam Jabre
			Wissam Jabre
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: August 21, 2023

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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 Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2023 (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: August 21, 2023

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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/ Wissam Jabre
			Wissam Jabre
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: August 21, 2023