Wolfspeed Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025

Business Wire 6-Nov-2024 4:05 PM

Solidifying Capital Structure, Simplifying Business to Accelerate Profitability and Continuing to Build Core Sales Demand

Executed Access to Incremental $2.5 Billion in Liquidity via CHIPS, Lenders, Tax Credits

Streamlining Business to 200mm Pure Play Yielding $200 Million in Cash Savings

Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE:WOLF) today announced its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Quarterly Financial Highlights (Continuing operations only. All comparisons are to the first quarter of fiscal 2024.)

• Consolidated revenue of approximately $195 million, as compared to approximately $197 million
  • Mohawk Valley Fab contributed approximately $49 million in revenue
• Power device design-ins of $1.5 billion
• Power device design-wins of $1.3 billion
• GAAP gross margin of approximately (19)%, compared to approximately 13%
  • GAAP gross margin includes the impacts of underutilization costs primarily in connection with the start of production at the Mohawk Valley Fab. Underutilization was $26.4 million as compared to $34.4 million. See "Start-up and Underutilization Costs" below for additional information.
• Non-GAAP gross margin of 3%, compared to 16%
• Ended Q1 with ~$1.7 billion in cash and investments; does not include initial draw down of $250 million from lender group

"This quarter we took action to solidify the capital structure, simplifying our business to accelerate structural profitability and support the build out of our state-of-the-art silicon carbide facilities. We will have a 200mm silicon carbide footprint at Mohawk Valley and North Carolina materials factories that we target to generate approximately $3 billion in revenue annually," said Wolfspeed CEO, Gregg Lowe. "Last month, we reached a significant milestone by signing a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) for up to $750 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act and an additional $750 million from our lending group, demonstrating substantial progress towards our funding goals. With this announcement, we now have access to up to $2.5 billion of incremental funding to support our U.S. capacity expansion plans."

Lowe continued, "To drive operational improvements, we are taking action to enhance efficiency, align our business with current market conditions and become the first silicon carbide company to transition to pure-play 200-millimeter. The transition to a fully 200-millimeter platform allows us to take further initiatives to streamline our cost structure, including closing our manual Durham 150-millimeter Fab, other manufacturing footprint rationalization, and reducing our workforce. Combined, we expect these initiatives will yield approximately $200 million in annual cash savings. In parallel, we remain focused on optimizing our capital structure, further reducing our fiscal 2025 CapEx guidance by $100 million to align the pace of our spend with the broader shift in EV market demand."

"We delivered 2.5 times year-over-year growth in our automotive business in the first quarter, and we expect our EV revenue to continue to grow throughout calendar 2025, as the total number of car models using a Wolfspeed silicon carbide solution in the power train increased by 4x from 2023 to 2024 and is expected to grow by another approximately 75% year over year in 2025. We also remain confident in the long-term fundamentals of our industrial and energy business. Importantly, we believe the secular trends and long-term growth drivers for our core end markets remain intact, and we expect the actions we are taking today will allow us to become a more efficient and agile organization positioned to capture the long-term growth opportunities ahead," concluded Lowe.

Business Outlook:

For its second quarter of fiscal 2025, Wolfspeed targets revenue from continuing operations in a range of $160 million to $200 million. GAAP net loss is targeted at $401 million to $362 million, or $3.14 to $2.84 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net loss is targeted to be in a range of $145 million to $114 million, or $1.14 to $0.89 per diluted share. Targeted non-GAAP net loss excludes $256 million to $248 million of estimated expenses, net of tax, primarily related to stock-based compensation expense, amortization of discount and debt issuance costs, net of capitalized interest, project, transformation and transaction costs and restructuring and other facility closure costs. The GAAP and non-GAAP targets do not include any estimated change in the fair value of the shares of common stock of MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (MACOM) that we acquired in connection with the sale to MACOM of our RF product line (RF Business Divestiture).

Restructuring and Facility Closure:

During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Wolfspeed initiated a facility closure and consolidation plan to optimize its cost structure and accelerate its transition from 150mm to 200mm silicon carbide devices. The costs incurred as a result of this restructuring plan include severance and employee benefit costs, voluntary termination benefits and other facility closure-related costs. Wolfspeed incurred $87.1 million of restructuring-related costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, of which $34.3 million were recognized in cost of revenue, net and $52.8 million were expensed as operating expense in the statement of operations.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company expects to incur $174 million of restructuring-related costs, of which $34 million will be recognized in cost of revenue, net and the remaining $140 million will be recognized as operating expense.

Start-up and Underutilization Costs:

Wolfspeed is incurring significant factory start-up costs relating to facilities the Company is constructing or expanding that have not yet started revenue generating production. These factory start-up costs have been and will be expensed as operating expenses in the statement of operations.

When a new facility begins revenue generating production, the operating costs of that facility that were previously expensed as start-up costs are instead primarily reflected as part of the cost of production within the cost of revenue, net line item in our statement of operations. For example, the Mohawk Valley Fab began revenue generating production at the end of fiscal 2023 and the costs of operating this facility in fiscal 2024 and going forward are primarily reflected in cost of revenue, net.

During the period when production begins, but before the facility is at its expected utilization level, Wolfspeed expects some of the costs to operate the facility will not be absorbed into the cost of inventory. The costs incurred to operate the facility in excess of the costs absorbed into inventory are referred to as underutilization costs and are expensed as incurred to cost of revenue, net. These costs are expected to continue to be substantial as Wolfspeed ramps up the facility to the expected or normal utilization level.

Wolfspeed incurred $19.7 million of factory start-up costs and $26.4 million of underutilization costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Wolfspeed incurred $8.4 million of factory start-up costs and $34.4 million of underutilization costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, operating expenses are expected to include approximately $23 million of factory start-up costs primarily in connection with materials expansion efforts. Cost of revenue, net, is expected to include approximately $35 million of underutilization costs in connection with the Mohawk Valley Fab.

Quarterly Conference Call:

Wolfspeed will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time today to review the highlights of its first quarter results and its fiscal second quarter 2025 business outlook, including significant factors and assumptions underlying the targets noted above.

The conference call will be available to the public through a live audio web broadcast via the Internet. For webcast details, visit Wolfspeed's website at investor.wolfspeed.com/events.cfm.

Supplemental financial information, including the non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release, is available on Wolfspeed's website at investor.wolfspeed.com/results.cfm.

About Wolfspeed, Inc.

Wolfspeed (NYSE:WOLF) leads the market in the worldwide adoption of silicon carbide technologies that power the world's most disruptive innovations. As the pioneers of silicon carbide, and creators of the most advanced semiconductor technology on earth, we are committed to powering a better world for everyone. Through silicon carbide material, Power Modules, Discrete Power Devices and Power Die Products targeted for various applications, we will bring you The Power to Make It Real.^TM Learn more at www.wolfspeed.com .

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

This press release highlights the Company's financial results on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. The GAAP results include certain costs, charges and expenses that are excluded from non-GAAP results. By publishing the non-GAAP measures, management intends to provide investors with additional information to further analyze the Company's performance, core results and underlying trends. Wolfspeed's management evaluates results and makes operating decisions using both GAAP and non-GAAP measures included in this press release. Non-GAAP results are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, and non-GAAP information should be considered a supplement to, and not a substitute for, financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures attached to this press release.

Forward Looking Statements:

The schedules attached to this release are an integral part of the release. This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause Wolfspeed's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about our plans to grow the business, our ability to achieve our targets for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and periods beyond, our ability to meet targeted utilization rates and accelerate the shift of our device fabrication to the Mohawk Valley Fab, our revenue and market growth, and our ability to reduce costs, optimize our capital structure and access funding. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, ongoing uncertainty in global economic and geopolitical conditions, such as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, changes in progress on infrastructure development or changes in customer or industrial demand that could negatively affect product demand, including as a result of an economic slowdown or recession, collectability of receivables and other related matters if consumers and businesses defer purchases or payments, or default on payments; risks associated with our expansion plans, including design and construction delays, cost overruns, the timing and amount of government incentives actually received, including, among other things, any direct grants and tax credits under the CHIPS Act, issues in installing and qualifying new equipment and ramping production, poor production process yields and quality control, and potential increases to our restructuring costs; our ability to obtain additional funding, including, among other things, from government funding, public or private equity offerings, or debt financings, on favorable terms and on a timely basis, if at all; our ability to take certain actions with respect to our capital and debt structure, including issuing the full amount of senior notes under our agreements with our lenders and restructuring or refinancing our convertible notes; the risk that we do not meet our production commitments to those customers who provide us with capacity reservation deposits or similar payments; the risk that we may experience production difficulties that preclude us from shipping sufficient quantities to meet customer orders or that result in higher production costs, lower yields and lower margins; our ability to lower costs; the risk that our results will suffer if we are unable to balance fluctuations in customer demand and capacity, including bringing on additional capacity on a timely basis to meet customer demand; the risk that longer manufacturing lead times may cause customers to fulfill their orders with a competitor's products instead; product mix; risks associated with the ramp-up of production of our new products, and our entry into new business channels different from those in which we have historically operated; our ability to convert customer design-ins to design-wins and sales of significant volume, and, if customer design-in activity does result in such sales, when such sales will ultimately occur and what the amount of such sales will be; the risk that the markets for our products will not develop as we expect, including the adoption of our products by electric vehicle manufacturers and the overall adoption of electric vehicles; the risk that the economic and political uncertainty caused by the tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods, and corresponding Chinese tariffs and currency devaluation in response, may continue to negatively impact demand for our products; the risk that we or our channel partners are not able to develop and expand customer bases and accurately anticipate demand from end customers, including production and product mix, which can result in increased inventory and reduced orders as we experience wide fluctuations in supply and demand; risks related to international sales and purchases; risks resulting from the concentration of our business among few customers, including the risk that customers may reduce or cancel orders or fail to honor purchase commitments; the risk that our investments may experience periods of significant market value and interest rate volatility causing us to recognize fair value losses on our investment; the risk posed by managing an increasingly complex supply chain (including managing the impacts of supply constraints in the semiconductor industry and meeting purchase commitments under take-or-pay arrangements with certain suppliers) that has the ability to supply a sufficient quantity of raw materials, subsystems and finished products with the required specifications and quality; risks relating to outbreaks of infectious diseases or similar public health events, including the risk of disruptions to our operations, supply chain, including our contract manufacturers, or customer demand; the risk we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if our remaining goodwill or amortizable assets become impaired; risks relating to confidential information theft or misuse, including through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusion; our ability to complete development and commercialization of products under development; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render our products obsolete; the potential lack of customer acceptance for our products; risks associated with ongoing litigation; the risk that customers do not maintain their favorable perception of our brand and products, resulting in lower demand for our products; the risk that our products fail to perform or fail to meet customer requirements or expectations, resulting in significant additional costs; risks associated with strategic transactions; the risk that we are not able to successfully execute or achieve the potential benefits of our efforts to enhance our value; and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements represent Wolfspeed's judgment as of the date of this release. Except as required under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, Wolfspeed disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, developments, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Wolfspeed^® is a registered trademark of Wolfspeed, Inc.

Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance

To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Wolfspeed uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating (loss) income, non-GAAP non-operating income (expense), net, non-GAAP net (loss) income, non-GAAP diluted (loss) earnings per share, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. These measures are presented for continuing operations only.

Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure of all historical non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found in the tables included with this press release.

Non-GAAP measures presented in this press release are not in accordance with or an alternative to measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with Wolfspeed's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should only be used to evaluate Wolfspeed's results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures.

Wolfspeed believes that these non-GAAP measures, when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, enhance investors' and management's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and the Company's prospects for the future, including cash flows available to pursue opportunities to enhance shareholder value. In addition, because Wolfspeed has historically reported certain non-GAAP results to investors, the Company believes the inclusion of non-GAAP measures provides consistency in the Company's financial reporting.

For its internal budgeting process, and as discussed further below, Wolfspeed's management uses financial statements that do not include the items listed below and the income tax effects associated with the foregoing. Wolfspeed's management also uses non-GAAP measures, in addition to the corresponding GAAP measures, in reviewing the Company's financial results.

Wolfspeed excludes the following items from one or more of its non-GAAP measures when applicable:

Stock-based compensation expense. This expense consists of expenses for stock options, restricted stock, performance stock awards and employee stock purchases through its Employee Stock Purchase Program. Wolfspeed excludes stock-based compensation expenses from its non-GAAP measures because they are non-cash expenses that Wolfspeed does not use to evaluate core operating performance.

Amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles. Wolfspeed incurs amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles in connection with acquisitions. Wolfspeed excludes these items because they are non-cash expenses that Wolfspeed does not use to evaluate core operating performance.

Project, transformation and transaction costs. The Company has incurred professional services fees and other costs associated with completed and potential acquisitions and divestitures, as well as internal transformation programs focused on optimizing the Company's administrative processes. Wolfspeed excludes these items because Wolfspeed believes they are not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Wolfspeed's business.

Restructuring and facility closure costs. During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company began to incur costs to optimize its operating model and accelerate our transition to 200mm silicon carbide offerings through facility closures and headcount reduction initiatives. Wolfspeed does not include these expenses when evaluating core operating activities for strategic decision making, forecasting future results and evaluating current performance, as these activities may be non-recurring, unusual, infrequent or directly related to an event that is distinct and non-reflective of the Company's ongoing business operations. Restructuring and facility closure costs primarily consist of severance, asset-related charges and other closure-related costs related to facilities in the process of closing or already closed. Other closure-related costs primarily consist of contract termination costs, manufacturing transition charges and certain inventory abandonments that are directly attributable to a facility closure. Contract termination costs relate to penalties incurred to terminate vendor arrangements that are directly attributable to a facility closure. Manufacturing transition charges include non-productive manufacturing expenses incurred during the period from when shutdown activities commence to when a facility is closed. Inventory abandonments relate to identification and disposal of inventory that will not be utilized after a product line is transferred to a new manufacturing location. Loss on disposition of assets results from abandonment of non-productive assets in accordance with a restructuring plan.

Amortization of discount and debt issuance costs, net of capitalized interest. The issuance of the Company's convertible senior notes in April 2020, February 2022 and November 2022, the sale of the Company's 2030 senior secured notes in June 2023, and the receipt of deposits in connection with an unsecured customer refundable deposit agreement in July 2023 and in the second half of fiscal 2024 results in amortization of discount and debt issuance costs. Wolfspeed excludes amortization of discount and debt issuance costs from its non-GAAP measures because they are non-cash expenses that Wolfspeed does not use to evaluate core operating performance.

Loss (gain) on Wafer Supply Agreement. In connection with the completed sale of the LED Products business unit to SMART Global Holdings, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary, the Company entered into a Wafer Supply and Fabrication Services Agreement (the Wafer Supply Agreement), pursuant to which the Company supplies CreeLED, Inc. with certain silicon carbide materials and fabrication services for up to four years. Wolfspeed excludes the financial impact of this agreement because Wolfspeed believes it is not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Wolfspeed's business.

Income tax adjustment. This amount reconciles GAAP tax (benefit) expense to a calculated non-GAAP tax (benefit) expense utilizing a non-GAAP tax rate. The non-GAAP tax rate estimates an appropriate tax rate if the listed non-GAAP items were excluded. This reconciling item adjusts non-GAAP net (loss) income to the amount it would be if the calculated non-GAAP tax rate was applied to non-GAAP (loss) income before income taxes.

Wolfspeed may incur some of these same expenses, including income taxes associated with these expenses, in future periods.

In addition to the non-GAAP measures discussed above, Wolfspeed also uses free cash flow as a measure of operating performance and liquidity. Free cash flow represents operating cash flows from continuing operations, less net purchases of property and equipment and patent and licensing rights. Wolfspeed considers free cash flow to be an operating performance and a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases of property and equipment, a portion of which can then be used to, among other things, invest in Wolfspeed's business, make strategic acquisitions and strengthen the balance sheet. A limitation of the utility of free cash flow as a measure of operating performance and liquidity is that it does not represent the residual cash flow available to the company for discretionary expenditures, as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as debt service.

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