wdc-20240425
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 25, 2024
wdcolor logo.gif (1).gif
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware001-0870333-0956711
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
5601 Great Oaks Parkway
95119
San Jose
California
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
(408717-6000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per ShareWDC
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐



Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 25, 2024, Western Digital Corporation (the “Company”) announced financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 29, 2024. A copy of the press release making this announcement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits

99. 1    Press Release issued by Western Digital Corporation on April 25, 2024 announcing financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 29, 2024.

104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).




SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Western Digital Corporation
(Registrant)
By:/s/ Cynthia Tregillis
Cynthia Tregillis
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
and Secretary
Date: April 25, 2024







Document

Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/485f941ce1bb3f40e6d1eff134134b74-wdcolorlogogif1a.gif




Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

News Summary
Third quarter revenue was $3.46 billion, up 14% sequentially (QoQ). Cloud revenue increased 45% (QoQ), Client revenue increased 5% (QoQ) and Consumer revenue decreased (13)% (QoQ).
Third quarter GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $0.34 and Non-GAAP EPS was $0.63, which includes underutilization-related charges in HDD.
Expect fiscal fourth quarter 2024 revenue to be in the range of $3.60 billion to $3.80 billion.
Expect Non-GAAP EPS in the range of $0.90 to $1.20.

SAN JOSE, Calif., — April 25, 2024 — Western Digital Corp. (Nasdaq: WDC) today reported fiscal third quarter 2024 financial results.

“As evidenced by our excellent third quarter results, Western Digital continues improving through-cycle profitability and dampening business cycles by leveraging our strategy of developing a diversified portfolio of industry-leading products across a broad range of end markets,” said David Goeckeler, Western Digital CEO. “We are in the early innings of unlocking the full potential of this company, and as industry supply and demand dynamics continue to improve, we will remain disciplined around our capital spending and focused on driving innovation and efficiency across our businesses. We are confident in our strategy and the actions we have taken to-date, which successfully position us to capitalize on the promising growth prospects that lie ahead.”





Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Page 2

Q3 2024 Financial Highlights
GAAPNon-GAAP
Q3 2024Q2 2024Q/QQ3 2024Q2 2024Q/Q
Revenue ($M)$3,457$3,032up 14%$3,457$3,032up 14%
Gross Margin29.0%16.2%up 12.8 ppt29.3%15.5%up 13.8 ppt
Operating Expenses ($M)$728$702up 4%$632$561up 13%
Operating Income (Loss) ($M)
$273$(210)*$380$(91)*
Diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders ($M)
$113$(301)*$210$(243)*
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
$0.34$(0.93)*$0.63$(0.75)*
* not a meaningful figure
GAAPNon-GAAP
Q3 2024Q3 2023Y/YQ3 2024Q3 2023Y/Y
Revenue ($M)$3,457$2,803up 23%$3,457$2,803up 23%
Gross Margin29.0%10.2%up 18.8 ppt29.3%10.6%up 18.7 ppt
Operating Expenses ($M)$728$758down 4%$632$602up 5%
Operating Income (Loss) ($M)
$273$(472)*$380$(304)*
Diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders ($M)
$113$(580)*$210($435)*
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
$0.34$(1.82)*$0.63$(1.36)*
* not a meaningful figure

The company had an operating cash inflow of $58 million and ended the quarter with $1.89 billion of total cash and cash equivalents.

Additional details can be found within the company’s earnings presentation, which is accessible online at investor.wdc.com.



Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Page 3

End Market Summary
Revenue ($M)Q3 2024Q2 2024Q/QQ3 2023Y/Y
Cloud$1,553$1,071up 45%$1,205up 29%
Client1,1741,122up 5%975up 20%
Consumer730839down 13%623up 17%
Total Revenue$3,457$3,032up 14%$2,803up 23%

In the fiscal third quarter:

Cloud represented 45% of total revenue. The growth was primarily attributed to higher nearline shipments and improved nearline per unit pricing with flash revenue up both sequentially and year-over-year.

Client represented 34% of total revenue. Sequentially, the increase in flash ASP more than offset a decline in flash bit shipments while HDD revenue decreased. The year-over-year increase was driven by growth in both flash and HDD ASPs and flash bit shipments.

Consumer represented 21% of total revenue. Sequentially, both flash and HDD were down at approximately similar rates and in line with seasonality. The year-over-year increase was driven by growth in flash bit shipments and ASP.




Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Page 4

Business Outlook for Fiscal Fourth Quarter of 2024
Three Months Ending
June 28, 2024
GAAP(1)
Non-GAAP(1)
Revenue ($B) $3.60 - $3.80  $3.60 - $3.80
Gross margin31.5% - 33.5% 32.0% - 34.0%
Operating expenses ($M) $770 - $800   $670 - $690
Interest and other expense, net ($M) ~ $105  ~ $105
Income tax expense ($M)(2)
N/A$30 - $40
Diluted earnings per shareN/A$0.90 - $1.20
Diluted shares outstanding (in millions)~342~342
(1) Non-GAAP gross margin guidance excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense of approximately $10 million to $15 million. The company’s Non-GAAP operating expenses guidance excludes stock-based compensation expense, and expenses related to business separation costs, totaling approximately $100 million to $110 million. In the aggregate, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance excludes these items totaling approximately $110 million to $125 million. The timing and amount of these charges excluded from Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating expenses, and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share cannot be further allocated or quantified with certainty. The timing and amount of additional charges the company excludes from its Non-GAAP income tax expense and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are dependent on the timing and determination of certain actions and cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, full reconciliations of Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating expenses, Non-GAAP income tax expense and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures (GAAP gross profit, GAAP operating expenses, income tax expense and diluted earnings per share, respectively) are not available without unreasonable effort.

(2) Non-GAAP income tax expense is determined based on a percentage of Non-GAAP pre-tax income or loss. Our estimated Non-GAAP tax dollars may differ from our GAAP tax dollars (i) due to differences in the tax treatment of items excluded from our Non-GAAP net income or loss; (ii) the fact that our GAAP income tax expense or benefit recorded in any interim period is based on an estimated forecasted GAAP tax rate for the full year, excluding loss jurisdictions; and (iii) because our GAAP taxes recorded in any interim period are dependent on the timing and determination of certain GAAP operating expenses.



Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Page 5

Revisions to Prior Period Financial Results
As previously reported, in connection with the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended December 29, 2023, the company identified certain errors related to the company’s reporting and recording of its interests in its equity method investments in Flash Ventures. These errors related to unadjusted differences between Flash Ventures’ application of Japanese generally accepted accounting principles to certain lease-related transactions compared to the applicable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These unadjusted differences resulted in differences in the equity in earnings from these entities recognized by the company in Other income (expense), net and the carrying value of the company’s equity method investments in Flash Ventures in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The company evaluated the errors and determined the related impacts were not material to its financial statements for the prior periods when they occurred. The company has revised previously reported financial information for such immaterial errors, and the unaudited preliminary condensed consolidated financial statements included in this press release incorporate revisions made to correct these errors for the periods presented. Please refer to the tables outlining revisions to results of operations in the company's earnings presentation, which is accessible online at investor.wdc.com, and to the company's upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal third quarter ending March 29, 2024, for additional information related to these revisions.

Investor Communications
The investment community conference call to discuss these results and the company’s business outlook for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024 will be broadcast live online today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific/4:30 p.m. Eastern. The live and archived conference call/webcast and the earnings presentation can be accessed online at investor.wdc.com.

About Western Digital
Western Digital is on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. With Flash and HDD franchises, underpinned by advancements in storage technologies, we create breakthrough innovations and powerful data storage solutions that enable the world to actualize its aspirations. Core to our values, we recognize the urgency to combat climate change and have committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Learn more about Western Digital and the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands at www.westerndigital.com.







Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Page 6

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding expectations for: the company’s business outlook and financial performance for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024 and beyond; the company's ability to dampen cyclicality and improve through-cycle profitability; industry and supply conditions and dynamics; and the company's approach to capital spending and ability to capitalize on market opportunities. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The preliminary financial results for the company’s fiscal third quarter ended March 29, 2024 included in this press release represent the most current information available to management. Actual results when disclosed in the company's Form 10-Q may differ from these preliminary results as a result of the completion of the company’s financial closing procedures, final adjustments, completion of the review by the company’s independent registered accounting firm; and other developments that may arise between now and the filing of the company's Form 10-Q. Other key risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: volatility in global economic conditions; operational, financial and legal challenges and difficulties inherent in implementing a separation of the company's HDD and Flash businesses; the final approval of the separation by the company's board of directors; inflation; increase in interest rates and economic recession; future responses to and effects of global health crises; the impact of business and market conditions; the outcome and impact of the company's announced separation transaction, including with respect to customer and supplier relationships, regulatory and contractual restrictions, stock price volatility and the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the company's development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets; risks associated with cost saving initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures and the company's strategic relationships; difficulties or delays in manufacturing or other supply chain disruptions; hiring and retention of key employees; the company's level of debt and other financial obligations; changes to the company's relationships with key customers; compromise, damage or interruption from cybersecurity incidents or other data system security risks; actions by competitors; the company's ability to achieve its GHG emissions reduction and other ESG goals; the impact of international conflicts; risks associated with compliance with changing legal and regulatory requirements and the outcome of legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed



Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Page 7

with the SEC on August 22, 2023 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2023 and February 12, 2024, to which your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events, except as required by law.

###
Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, SanDisk and WD are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries.






WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)
March 29,
2024
June 30,
2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$1,894 $2,023 
Accounts receivable, net1,800 1,598 
Inventories3,215 3,698 
Other current assets623 567 
Total current assets7,532 7,886 
Property, plant and equipment, net3,253 3,620 
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures1,099 1,410 
Goodwill10,034 10,037 
Other intangible assets, net78 80 
Other non-current assets1,805 1,513 
Total assets$23,801 $24,546 
LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$1,400 $1,293 
Accounts payable to related parties310 292 
Accrued expenses972 1,288 
Income taxes payable476 999 
Accrued compensation445 349 
Current portion of long-term debt450 1,213 
Total current liabilities4,053 5,434 
Long-term debt7,318 5,857 
Other liabilities1,433 1,415 
Total liabilities12,804 12,706 
Convertible preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference of $968 and $924, respectively
876 876 
Total shareholders’ equity10,121 10,964 
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and shareholders’ equity$23,801 $24,546 



WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
Revenue, net$3,457 $2,803 $9,239 $9,646 
Cost of revenue2,456 2,517 7,647 7,851 
Gross profit1,001 286 1,592 1,795 
Operating expenses:
Research and development494 476 1,369 1,551 
Selling, general and administrative203 242 608 739 
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other40 89 140 
Business separation costs23 — 59 — 
Total operating expenses728 758 2,125 2,430 
Operating income (loss)273 (472)(533)(635)
Interest and other expense(95)(56)(230)(181)
Income (loss) before taxes178 (528)(763)(816)
Income tax expense43 43 74 159 
Net income (loss)135 (571)(837)(975)
Less: cumulative dividends allocated to preferred shareholders15 44 
Less: income attributable to preferred shareholders— — — 
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders$113 $(580)$(881)$(984)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic$0.35 $(1.82)$(2.72)$(3.09)
Diluted$0.34 $(1.82)$(2.72)$(3.09)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic326 319 324 318 
Diluted335 319 324 318 


WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)
$135 $(571)$(837)$(975)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operations:
Depreciation and amortization140 213 430 643 
Stock-based compensation77 74 226 246 
Deferred income taxes(52)(120)30 
Gain on disposal of assets
— (8)(87)(7)
Non-cash asset impairment
99 18 
Gain on repurchase of debt— — (4)— 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts14 
Other non-cash operating activities, net52 (64)24 (8)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable, net(277)314 (202)1,213 
Inventories(206)483 (341)
Accounts payable(88)79 211 (442)
Accounts payable to related parties59 (103)18 (54)
Accrued expenses(64)(258)(310)(484)
Income taxes payable(30)(12)(524)144 
Accrued compensation93 (7)97 (169)
Other assets and liabilities, net152 (178)(163)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities58 (381)(660)(340)
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net(95)(110)(176)(688)
Activity related to Flash Ventures, net128 (36)207 46 
Strategic investments and other, net
(26)— 22 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(138)31 (620)
Financing Activities
Employee stock plans, net(16)(13)(26)(20)
Net proceeds from convertible preferred stock— 882 (5)882 
Purchase of capped calls— — (155)— 
Repurchases of debt— — (505)— 
Proceeds from debt, net of repayments(629)— 1,233 — 
Debt issuance costs— (1)(36)(6)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(645)868 506 856 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(7)— (6)(3)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(587)349 (129)(107)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period2,481 1,871 2,023 2,327 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$1,894 $2,220 $1,894 $2,220 



WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS
(in millions; except percentages; unaudited)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
Net revenue:
Flash$1,705 $1,307 $4,926 $4,686 
HDD1,752 1,496 4,313 4,960 
Total net revenue$3,457 $2,803 $9,239 $9,646 
Gross profit:
Flash$467 $(65)$437 $597 
HDD545 363 1,157 1,237 
Total gross profit for segments1,012 298 1,594 1,834 
Unallocated corporate items:
Stock-based compensation expense(11)(12)(37)(38)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets(1)— (2)(1)
Recovery from contamination incident— 37 — 
Total unallocated corporate items(11)(12)(2)(39)
Consolidated gross profit$1,001 $286 $1,592 $1,795 
Gross margin:
Flash27.4 %(5.0)%8.9 %12.7 %
HDD31.1 %24.3 %26.8 %24.9 %
Total gross margin for segments29.3 %10.6 %17.3 %19.0 %
Consolidated gross margin29.0 %10.2 %17.2 %18.6 %

The Company manages and reports under two reportable segments: flash-based products (“Flash”) and hard disk drives (“HDD”). In the table above, total gross profit for segments and total gross margin for segments are Non-GAAP financial measures, which are also referred to herein as Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin, respectively.






WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions; unaudited)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 March 29,
2024
December 29,
2023
March 31,
2023
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
GAAP gross profit$1,001 $492 $286 $1,592 $1,795 
Stock-based compensation expense11 13 12 37 38 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets— 
Recovery from contamination incident(1)(36)— (37)— 
Non-GAAP gross profit$1,012 $470 $298 $1,594 $1,834 
GAAP operating expenses$728 $702 $758 $2,125 $2,430 
Stock-based compensation expense(66)(59)(62)(189)(208)
Business separation costs(23)(36)— (59)— 
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other
(8)(24)(40)(89)(140)
Strategic review— (20)(15)(37)(15)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets— — (39)— (116)
Other(2)— (3)(1)
Non-GAAP operating expenses$632 $561 $602 $1,748 $1,950 
GAAP operating income (loss)
$273 $(210)$(472)$(533)$(635)
Gross profit adjustments11 (22)12 39 
Operating expense adjustments96 141 156 377 480 
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)$380 $(91)$(304)$(154)$(116)
GAAP interest and other expense, net$(95)$(49)$(56)$(230)$(181)
Other(64)(6)(61)(7)
Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net$(92)$(113)$(62)$(291)$(188)
GAAP income tax expense$43 $28 $43 $74 $159 
Income tax adjustments(3)17 27 21 
Non-GAAP income tax expense$51 $25 $60 $101 $180 



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

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 March 29,
2024
December 29,
2023
March 31,
2023
March 29,
2024
March 31,
2023
GAAP net income (loss)$135 $(287)$(571)$(837)$(975)
Stock-based compensation expense77 72 74 226 246 
Business separation costs23 36 — 59 — 
Employee termination, asset impairment and other
24 40 89 140 
Strategic review— 20 15 37 15 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets39 117 
Recovery from contamination incident(1)(36)— (37)— 
Other
(62)(6)(58)(6)
Income tax adjustments(8)(17)(27)(21)
Non-GAAP net income (loss)
237 (229)(426)(546)(484)
Less: amount allocated to preferred shareholders
27 14 44 
Non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders
$210 $(243)$(435)$(590)$(493)
Diluted income (loss) per common share
GAAP$0.34 $(0.93)$(1.82)$(2.72)$(3.09)
Non-GAAP$0.63 $(0.75)$(1.36)$(1.82)$(1.55)
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
GAAP335 325 319 324 318 
Non-GAAP335 325 319 324 318 
Cash flows
Cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities$58 $(92)$(381)$(660)$(340)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net(95)(150)(110)(176)(688)
Activity related to Flash Ventures, net128 66 (36)207 46 
Free cash flow$91 $(176)$(527)$(629)$(982)














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

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

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

Business separation cost. The company incurred expenses associated with the separation of its HDD and Flash business units to create two independent, public companies. The Company believes these charges do not reflect the company's operating results and that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.




Employee termination, asset impairment, and other. From time-to-time, in order to realign the company’s operations with anticipated market demand or to achieve cost synergies from the integration of acquisitions, the company may terminate employees and/or restructure its operations. From time-to-time, the company may also incur charges from the impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. In addition, the company may record credits related to gains upon sale of property due to restructuring or reversals of charges recorded in prior periods. In addition, the Company has taken actions to reduce the amount of capital invested in facilities, including the sale-leaseback of facilities. These charges or credits are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Strategic review. The company incurred expenses associated with its review of strategic alternatives that resulted in the planned separation of its HDD and Flash business units to create two independent, public companies. The company believes these charges do not reflect the company’s operating results and that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

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

Recovery from contamination incident. In February 2022, a contamination of certain materials used in the company's manufacturing process occurred and affected production operations at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities in Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Japan, which are operated through the company's joint business ventures with Kioxia Corporation (collectively, "Flash Ventures"). The contamination resulted in scrapped inventory and rework costs, decontamination and other costs needed to restore the facilities to normal capacity, and under absorption of overhead costs which were expensed as incurred. During the quarters ended December 29, 2023, and March 29, 2024, the company received a partial recovery of these losses from other parties. The contamination charges and the related recovery are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes they are not part of the ongoing production operation of its business.

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




Income tax adjustments. Income tax adjustments include the difference between income taxes based on a forecasted annual Non-GAAP tax rate and a forecasted annual GAAP tax rate as a result of the timing of certain Non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments. The income tax adjustments also include adjustments for the re-measurement of certain unrecognized tax benefits primarily related to tax positions taken in prior quarters, including interest. These adjustments are excluded because the company believes that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its ongoing business.

Additionally, free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment, net, and the activity related to Flash Ventures, net. The company considers free cash flow generated in any period to be a useful indicator of cash that is available for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the company’s business, making strategic acquisitions, repaying debt and strengthening the balance sheet.



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Western Digital Corp.

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