10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended August 29, 2008

OR

 

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

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File No. 000-29597

 

 

Palm, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   94-3150688

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

950 West Maude

Sunnyvale, California

94085

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 617-7000

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A

 

 

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  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-Accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

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

As of September 26, 2008, 109,762,873 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Palm, Inc. (*)

Table of Contents

 

     Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
Item 1. Financial Statements   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007

   3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
August 31, 2008 and May 31, 2008

   4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007

   5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    38
Item 4. Controls and Procedures    39

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings    40
Item 1A. Risk Factors    40
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    56
Item 6. Exhibits    57
Signatures    61

 

(*) Palm’s 52-53 week fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest May 31, with each fiscal quarter ending on the Friday generally nearest August 31, November 30 and February 28. For presentation purposes, the periods are shown as ending on August 31, November 30, February 28 and May 31, as applicable.

The page numbers in this Table of Contents reflect actual page numbers, not EDGAR page tag numbers.

Palm, Treo, Foleo, Centro and Palm OS are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Palm, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Revenues

   $ 366,857     $ 360,759  

Cost of revenues (*)

     269,516       230,335  
                

Gross profit

     97,341       130,424  

Operating expenses:

    

Sales and marketing (*)

     57,407       60,195  

Research and development (*)

     48,809       52,616  

General and administrative (*)

     14,065       13,996  

Amortization of intangible assets

     883       961  

Patent acquisition cost (refund)

     (1,537 )     5,000  

Restructuring charges (adjustments)

     (473 )     6,604  

Gain on sale of land

     —         (4,446 )
                

Total operating expenses

     119,154       134,926  
                

Operating loss

     (21,813 )     (4,502 )

Impairment of non-current auction rate securities

     (14,965 )     —    

Interest (expense)

     (6,894 )     (153 )

Interest income

     2,016       7,918  

Other income (expense), net

     (455 )     (301 )
                

Loss before income taxes

     (42,111 )     2,962  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     (2,634 )     3,803  
                

Net loss

     (39,477 )     (841 )

Accretion of series B redeemable convertible preferred stock

     2,401       —    
                

Net loss applicable to common shareholders

   $ (41,878 )   $ (841 )
                

Net loss per common share:

    

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.39 )   $ (0.01 )
                

Shares used to compute net loss per common share:

    

Basic and diluted

     108,291       103,998  
                

 

    

(*)    Costs and expenses include stock-based compensation as follows:

    

Cost of revenues

   $ 364     $ 411  

Sales and marketing

     1,417       1,307  

Research and development

     3,248       1,822  

General and administrative

     1,971       1,588  
                
   $ 7,000     $ 5,128  
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Palm, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except par value amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     August 31,
2008
    May 31,
2008
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 167,329     $ 176,918  

Short-term investments

     80,982       81,830  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $777 and $1,169, respectively

     141,620       116,430  

Inventories

     35,182       67,461  

Deferred income taxes

     81,525       82,011  

Prepaids and other

     14,274       15,436  
                

Total current assets

     520,912       540,086  

Restricted investments

     8,170       8,620  

Non-current auction rate securities

     22,468       29,944  

Property and equipment, net

     36,871       39,636  

Goodwill

     166,332       166,332  

Intangible assets, net

     56,731       61,048  

Deferred income taxes

     326,589       318,850  

Other assets

     14,560       15,746  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,152,633     $ 1,180,262  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 153,229     $ 161,642  

Income taxes payable

     2,183       1,088  

Accrued restructuring

     4,816       8,058  

Current portion of long-term debt

     4,000       4,000  

Other accrued liabilities

     242,820       236,558  
                

Total current liabilities

     407,048       411,346  

Non-current liabilities:

    

Long-term debt

     393,000       394,000  

Non-current tax liabilities

     6,199       6,127  

Other non-current liabilities

     1,952       2,098  

Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 325 shares authorized; outstanding: 325 shares; aggregate liquidation value: $325,000

     258,072       255,671  

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Series A preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 125,000 shares authorized; none outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding: 108,910 shares and 108,369 shares, respectively

     109       108  

Additional paid-in capital

     667,413       659,141  

Accumulated deficit

     (576,961 )     (537,484 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (4,199 )     (10,745 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     86,362       111,020  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,152,633     $ 1,180,262  
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Palm, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (39,477 )   $ (841 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     5,147       4,595  

Stock-based compensation

     7,000       5,128  

Amortization of intangible assets

     4,317       4,295  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     785       —    

Deferred income taxes

     (4,250 )     4,545  

Realized gain on sale of short-term investments

     —         (113 )

Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     —         (1,375 )

Realized gain on sale of land

     —         (4,446 )

Impairment of non-current auction rate securities

     14,965       —    

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (25,033 )     25,337  

Inventories

     32,289       4,995  

Prepaids and other

     1,502       1,256  

Accounts payable

     (8,280 )     (28,193 )

Income taxes payable

     167       (1,499 )

Accrued restructuring

     (3,213 )     1,378  

Other accrued liabilities

     10,444       2,981  
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (3,637 )     18,043  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (2,410 )     (6,565 )

Proceeds from sale of land

     —         64,446  

Purchase of short-term investments

     (15 )     (181,934 )

Sale of short-term investments

     313       342,673  

Sale of restricted investments

     450       —    
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (1,662 )     218,620  
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, employee stock plans

     1,518       5,545  

Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     —         1,375  

Repayment of debt

     (5,022 )     (272 )

Cash distribution to stockholders

     (90 )     —    

Debt issuance costs

     —         (2,619 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (3,594 )     4,029  
                

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (696 )     —    

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (9,589 )     240,692  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     176,918       128,130  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 167,329     $ 368,822  
                

Other cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 1,050     $ 926  
                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 5,975     $ 1  
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Palm, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Palm, Inc. (“Palm,” the “Company,” “us,” “we” or “our”), without audit, pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of Palm’s financial position as of August 31, 2008 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Palm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. The results of operations for the three months ended August 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future period.

Palm was incorporated in 1992 as Palm Computing, Inc. In 1995, the Company was acquired by U.S. Robotics Corporation. In 1996, the Company sold its first handheld computer, quickly establishing a significant position in the handheld computer industry. In 1997, 3Com Corporation, or 3Com, acquired U.S. Robotics. In 1999, 3Com announced its intent to separate the handheld computer business from 3Com’s business to form an independent, publicly-traded company. In preparation for that spin-off, Palm Computing, Inc. changed its name to Palm, Inc., or Palm, and was reincorporated in Delaware in December 1999. In March 2000, Palm sold shares in an initial public offering and concurrent private placements. In July 2000, 3Com distributed its remaining shares of Palm common stock to 3Com stockholders.

In December 2001, Palm formed PalmSource, Inc., or PalmSource, a stand-alone subsidiary for its operating system, or OS, business. On October 28, 2003, Palm distributed all of the shares of PalmSource common stock held by Palm to Palm stockholders. On October 29, 2003, Palm acquired Handspring, Inc., or Handspring, and changed the Company’s name to palmOne, Inc., or palmOne.

In connection with the spin-off of PalmSource, the Palm Trademark Holding Company, LLC, or PTHC, was formed to hold trade names, trademarks, service marks and domain names containing the word or letter string “palm”. In May 2005, the Company acquired PalmSource’s interest in PTHC, including the Palm trademark and brand, for $30.0 million, payable over 3.5 years. In July 2005, the Company changed its name back to Palm, Inc., or Palm.

In October 2007, the Company sold 325,000 shares of Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, to the private-equity firm Elevation Partners, L.P. in exchange for $325.0 million. On an as-converted basis, these shares represented approximately 27% of the voting shares outstanding of the Company at the close of the transaction. The Company utilized these proceeds, along with existing cash and the proceeds of $400.0 million of new debt, to finance a $9.00 per share one-time cash distribution of approximately $949.7 million to shareholders of record as of October 24, 2007, or the Recapitalization Transaction. Upon closing the Recapitalization Transaction, Elevation Partners has the right to elect two members to Palm’s Board of Directors and Palm adjusted outstanding equity awards in a manner designed to preserve the pre-distribution intrinsic value of the awards.

Palm’s 52-53 week fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest to May 31, with each fiscal quarter ending on the Friday generally nearest to August 31, November 30 and February 28. Fiscal years 2009 and 2008 both contain 52 weeks. For presentation purposes, the periods are shown as ending on August 31, November 30, February 28 and May 31, as applicable.

 

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-b, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delays the effective date of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard, or SFAS, No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value at least annually. These nonfinancial items include assets and liabilities such as reporting units measured at fair value in a goodwill impairment test and nonfinancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Palm adopted SFAS No. 157 to account for its financial assets and liabilities for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008 (see Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). The partial adoption of SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on Palm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Palm is required to adopt SFAS No. 157 to account for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2009. Palm is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the adoption of the deferred provisions of SFAS No. 157 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements, but does not expect it to have a material impact.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. SFAS No. 141(R) also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Palm is required to adopt SFAS No. 141(R) for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2009. Palm does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) to have an impact on Palm’s historical financial position or results of operations at the time of adoption.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to expand disclosures about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities, but does not change SFAS No. 133’s scope of accounting. Palm is required to adopt SFAS No. 161 for interim or annual periods beginning after November 15, 2008, or Palm’s third quarter of fiscal year 2009. Palm does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have an impact on Palm’s historical financial position or results of operations at the time of adoption.

 

3. Fair Value Measurements

Effective June 1, 2008, Palm adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, to account for its financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 provides a framework for measuring fair value, clarifies the definition of fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. The standard establishes a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

 

   

Level 1 - Observable quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2 - Observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, observable quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; or

 

   

Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

For the three months ended August 31, 2008 there was no material impact from the adoption of SFAS No. 157 on Palm’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2008 are classified based on the valuation technique level in the table below:

 

     Fair Value Measurements as of August 31, 2008
     Total    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

Cash and cash equivalents:

           

Cash

   $ 62,613    $ 62,613    $ —      $ —  

Cash equivalents, money market funds

     104,716      104,716      —        —  

Short-term investments:

           

Federal government obligations

     76,398      76,341      57      —  

Corporate notes/bonds

     4,584      —        4,584      —  

Restricted investments:

           

Money market funds

     7,597      7,597      —        —  

Certificates of deposit

     573      —        573      —  

Non-current auction rate securities, corporate notes/bonds

     22,468      —        —        22,468

Equity investments, corporate stock (1)

     987      —        —        987
                           

Total assets at fair value

   $ 279,936    $ 251,267    $ 5,214    $ 23,455
                           

 

(1) Included in other assets on Palm’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

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The fair value of the Company’s Level 1 financial assets is based on quoted market prices of the identical underlying security and generally include cash, money market funds and United States Treasury securities with quoted prices in active markets.

The fair value of the Company’s Level 2 financial assets is based on observable inputs to quoted market prices, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency and generally include United States government agency debt securities, corporate debt securities and certificates of deposit.

Palm did not have observable inputs for the valuation of its balances of non-current auction rate securities and equity investments included in other assets. Palm’s methodology for valuing these assets is described below. The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of Palm’s Level 3 financial assets for the three months ended August 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
     Non-current
Auction Rate Securities(1)
    Equity Investments(2)    Total  

Balances, May 31, 2008

   $ 29,944     $ 987    $ 30,931  

Total losses (realized/unrealized):

       

Included in loss before income taxes

     (14,965 )     —        (14,965 )

Included in other comprehensive (loss)

     7,489       —        7,489  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

     —         —        —    

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     —         —        —    
                       

Balances, August 31, 2008:

   $ 22,468     $ 987    $ 23,455  
                       

Total losses for the period included in loss before income taxes relating to assets still held at August 31, 2008

   $ (14,965 )   $ —      $ (14,965 )
                       

 

  (1) See Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information regarding non-current auction rate securities.

 

  (2) The fair value of Palm’s equity investment was classified as a Level 3 instrument, as it uses unobservable inputs and requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such investments. The valuation of this equity investment also takes into account recent financing activities by the investee, the investee’s capital structure, liquidation preferences for the investee’s capital and other economic variables.

As of August 31, 2008, Palm does not have liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of SFAS No. 115. SFAS No. 159 allows measurement at fair value of eligible financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise measured at fair value. If the fair value option for an eligible item is elected, unrealized gains and losses for that item must be reported in current earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to draw comparisons between the different measurement attributes Palm elects for similar types of assets and liabilities. Palm adopted SFAS No. 159 as of June 1, 2008. Palm evaluated its existing eligible financial assets and liabilities and elected not to adopt the fair value option for any eligible items during the three months ended August 31, 2008. However, because the SFAS No. 159 election is based on an instrument-by-instrument election at the time Palm first recognizes an eligible item or enters into an eligible firm commitment, Palm may decide to exercise the option on new items when business reasons support doing so in the future. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have any impact on Palm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for the three months ended August 31, 2008.

 

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4. Net Loss Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Numerator:

    

Net loss

   $ (39,477 )   $ (841 )

Accretion of series B redeemable convertible preferred stock

     2,401       —    
                

Net loss applicable to common shareholders

   $ (41,878 )   $ (841 )
                

Denominator:

    

Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share (weighted average common shares outstanding during the period, excluding shares of restricted stock subject to repurchase)

     108,291       103,998  
                

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

   $ (0.39 )   $ (0.01 )
                

Palm follows Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, Issue No. 03-6, Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement 128, which requires earnings available to common shareholders for the period, after deduction of redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends, to be allocated between the common and redeemable convertible preferred shareholders based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Basic and diluted earnings per share is then calculated by dividing income allocable to common shareholders (after the reduction for any undeclared, preferred stock dividends assuming current income for the period had been distributed) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. EITF Issue No. 03-6 does not require the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share for securities other than common stock; therefore, the earnings per common share amounts only pertain to Palm’s common stock.

For the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately 22,793,000 and 14,340,000 weighted average options to purchase Palm common stock, respectively, and 38,235,000 and 0 weighted average shares of the Series B Preferred Stock (calculated using the “if converted” method), respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share because the inclusion of such items would be antidilutive to the loss. Under the “if converted” method, the Series B Preferred Stock is assumed to be converted to common shares at a conversion price of $8.50 per share and accretion related to the Series B Preferred Stock is added back to net loss.

 

5. Stock-Based Compensation

Determining Fair Value

Palm relies primarily on the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options and employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP, shares. The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-valuation model is affected by Palm’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex variables. These variables include Palm’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, projected employee stock option exercise behavior, expected risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

Palm estimates the expected term of options granted based on historical time from vesting until exercise and the expected term of ESPP shares using the average life of the purchase periods under each offering. Palm estimates the volatility of its common stock based upon the implied volatility derived from the historical market prices of Palm’s traded options with similar terms. Palm’s decision to use this measure of volatility was based upon the availability of actively traded options on its common stock and Palm’s assessment that this measure of volatility is more representative of future stock price trends than the historical volatility in Palm’s common stock. Palm bases the risk-free interest rate for option valuation on Constant Maturity Treasury rates provided by the United States Treasury with remaining terms similar to the expected term of the options. Palm does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, requires forfeitures of share-based awards to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Palm uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and records stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

 

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The key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 are provided below:

 

     Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
         2008             2007      

Risk-free interest rate

     3.0 %     4.6 %

Volatility

     52 %     37 %

Option term (in years)

     3.9       3.1  

Dividend yield

     0.0 %     0.0 %

Weighted average per share fair value at date of grant

   $ 2.51     $ 5.01  

In September 2007, Palm stockholders approved amendments to the Board of Director stock option plans and the Handspring stock option plans, which were assumed in connection with a merger, to include anti-dilution provisions for options awarded under these plans. The addition of these anti-dilution provisions to the plans resulted in a modification of the original awards. In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), Palm performed a valuation of the affected options to compare the fair value before and after the addition of these anti-dilution provisions using the Trinomial Lattice simulation model. The Trinomial Lattice simulation model was utilized to incorporate more complex variables than closed-form models such as the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The weighted-average assumptions, using the Trinomial Lattice simulation model, included volatility and risk-free interest rates based on the remaining contractual term of the option, dividend yield of 0.0%, early exercise multiple of 1.95, stock price on September 12, 2007 adjusted for the expected $9.00 per share one-time cash distribution, or $5.87, and strike price based on the contractual strike price adjusted for the $9.00 per share distribution. As a result, Palm determined that approximately 180 awards had approximately $8.2 million of incremental fair value, of which approximately $8.0 million was recorded as stock-based compensation expense during fiscal year 2008 related to the modification of options that had vested. An additional $47,000 was recognized during the three months ended August 31, 2008 for options vesting during the period. The remaining approximately $155,000 will be amortized relative to the vesting period of the affected stock options, which is expected to be the next 2.0 years.

Upon the closing of the Recapitalization Transaction, all outstanding options and restricted stock units, other than awards held by employees located in certain foreign jurisdictions, were adjusted to preserve the pre-distribution intrinsic value by adjusting the exercise price and/or the number of shares subject to stock options outstanding as of October 24, 2007. The fair value of the modified awards was calculated using a Trinomial Lattice simulation model as described above, and compared to the fair value of the options outstanding just prior to the transaction. The weighted-average assumptions, using the Trinomial Lattice simulation model, included volatility and risk-free interest rates based on the remaining contractual term of the option, dividend yield of 0.0%, early exercise multiple of 1.95, stock price on October 24, 2007 adjusted for the $9.00 per share distribution, or $10.18, and strike price based on the contractual strike price adjusted for the $9.00 per share distribution. As a result, Palm determined that approximately 60 awards had incremental fair value of less than $0.1 million, which was completely recognized as of August 31, 2008.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, Palm granted approximately 1.0 million stock options, 0.7 million restricted stock units and 0.2 million restricted stock awards with vesting based on market conditions, or performance of Palm’s stock price. The Geometric Brownian Motion simulation model was utilized to incorporate more complex variables than closed-form models such as the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The use of the Geometric Brownian Motion simulation model requires a number of complex assumptions including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividends and inputs such as the stock and strike prices. For the awards granted during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, Palm used the following key assumptions and inputs: volatility of 37%, risk-free interest rate of 4.1%, dividend yield of 0.0% and stock and strike prices of $8.91, the closing stock price on the date of grant. The weighted average fair value of the stock options was $2.62 per share, of the restricted stock units was $5.71 per share and of the restricted stock awards was $7.00 per share.

Palm uses straight-line attribution as its expensing method of the value of share-based compensation for options, restricted stock units and awards granted beginning June 1, 2006. Compensation expense for all share-based awards granted prior to June 1, 2006 will continue to be recognized using the accelerated expensing method.

Income Tax Benefits Recorded in Stockholders’ Equity

The total associated income tax benefit for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $2.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

 

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In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), Palm has presented tax benefits for deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options as financing cash flows.

Stock-Based Options and Awards Activity

Palm had no stock-based compensation costs capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.

A summary of Palm’s stock option program as of August 31, 2008 is as follows (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Outstanding Options    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Number
of Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
     

Options vested and expected to vest as of August 31, 2008

   17,791    $ 5.98    5.8    $ 52,658

Options exercisable as of August 31, 2008

   9,878    $ 5.27    5.3    $ 38,238

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between Palm’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal period, which was $8.51 and $15.01 as of August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and the option exercise price of the shares for options that were in the money multiplied by the number of options outstanding. Total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $1.3 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

As of August 31, 2008, total unrecognized compensation costs, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock options was approximately $23.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 3.1 years.

As of August 31, 2008, total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock awards was approximately $2.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 2.1 years.

A summary of Palm’s restricted stock unit program as of August 31, 2008 is as follows (dollars and units in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Number of
Units
   Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Restricted stock units vested and expected to vest as of August 31, 2008

   785    $ 6.88    1.4    $ 6,679
             

As of August 31, 2008, total unrecognized compensation costs, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested restricted stock units was approximately $4.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 2.6 years.

A summary of Palm’s ESPP as of August 31, 2008 is as follows (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):

 

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

ESPP shares vested and expected to vest as of August 31, 2008

   2,589    $ 7.04    1.4    $ 7,888
             

As of August 31, 2008, total unrecognized compensation costs related to the ESPP was approximately $4.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 1.4 years.

 

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6. Comprehensive Loss

The components of comprehensive loss are (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Net loss

   $ (39,477 )   $ (841 )

Other comprehensive loss:

    

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments

     (239 )     251  

Net unrealized change in value on non-current auction rate securities

     (7,476 )     —    

Net recognized loss on non-current auction rate securities included in earnings

     14,965       —    

Net recognized gain on available-for-sale investments included in earnings

     —         (113 )

Accumulated translation adjustments

     (704 )     (158 )
                
   $ (32,931 )   $ (861 )
                

 

7. Short-Term Investments and Non-Current Auction Rate Securities

The following table summarizes the fair value of federal government obligations and corporate debt securities classified as short-term investments based on stated maturities as of August 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Fair
Value

Short-term investments:

  

Due within one year

   $ 25,546

Due within two years

     50,795

Due within three years

     —  

Due after three years

     4,641
      
   $ 80,982
      

As of August 31, 2008, Palm’s short-term investments balance reflects net unrealized losses of approximately $2.1 million, which are classified in other comprehensive loss in its condensed consolidated balance sheet. This net unrealized loss consisted of $2.2 million of net unrealized losses on its investments in corporate debt securities and approximately $0.1 million of net unrealized gains on its investments in federal government obligations. Palm believes that it will be able to collect all principal and interest amounts due to it at maturity given the high credit quality of these investments. Because the decline in market value is primarily attributable to market conditions and not the nature and credit quality, and because Palm has the ability and intent to hold those investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, Palm does not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired at August 31, 2008.

Palm holds a variety of interest bearing auction rate securities, or ARS, that represent investments in pools of assets, including commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, credit linked notes and credit derivative products. At the time of acquisition, these ARS investments were intended to provide liquidity via an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined calendar intervals, allowing investors to either roll over their holdings or gain immediate liquidity by selling such interests at par. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, uncertainties in the credit markets affected all of Palm’s holdings in ARS investments and auctions for Palm’s investments in these securities failed to settle on their respective settlement dates. Auctions for Palm’s investments in these securities have continued to fail during the three months ended August 31, 2008. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid and Palm will not be able to access these funds until a future auction of these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside of the auction process. Maturity dates for these ARS investments range from 2017 to 2052. All of the investments were investment grade quality and were in compliance with Palm’s investment policy at the time of acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, one of Palm’s ARS investments was converted into a debt instrument and no longer is subject to auctions but has retained comparable contractual interest rates and payment dates. This change had no effect on the underlying collateral structure of Palm’s investment in the original security and Palm continues to classify this instrument in its non-current auction rate securities balance. Palm currently has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of the auction process and/or for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. Palm currently classifies all of these investments as non-current auction rate securities on its condensed consolidated balance sheet because of Palm’s continuing inability to determine when these investments will settle. Palm has also modified its current investment strategy and increased its investments in more liquid money market investments and United States Treasury securities.

 

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Historically, the fair value of ARS investments approximated par value due to the frequent resets through the auction process. While Palm continues to earn interest on these investments at the maximum contractual rate, they are not currently trading and therefore do not currently have a readily determinable market value. As of August 31, 2008, the par value of Palm’s investment in ARS was approximately $74.7 million. The estimated fair value no longer approximates par value.

Palm has used a discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value of its investment in ARS as of August 31, 2008. Using this approach, estimates for interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding periods of the ARS were used and the expected future cash flows were calculated over the expected life of each security and were discounted to a single present value using an estimated market required rate of return. As of August 31, 2008, using this assessment of fair value, Palm determined there was a further decline in the fair value of its ARS investments of approximately $7.5 million, of which $(0.1) million was deemed temporary and $7.6 million was recognized as a pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge. In addition, during the three months ended August 31, 2008, Palm determined that certain of its investments in ARS continued to experience a decline in fair value. As a result, Palm concluded that the impairment of these ARS investments was other-than-temporary and the associated unrealized losses of approximately $7.4 million were recognized during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as additional pre-tax impairment of non-current ARS, with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Palm reviews its impairments in accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and related guidance issued by the FASB and the SEC in order to determine the classification of the impairment as “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized loss being recorded in the other comprehensive loss component of stockholders’ equity. Such an unrealized loss does not affect net loss for the applicable accounting period. An other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded as a realized loss in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and is a component of the net loss for the applicable accounting period. The primary differentiating factors considered by Palm to classify its impairments between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are the length of the time and the extent to which the market value of the investment has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the intent and ability of Palm to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

 

8. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     August 31,
2008
   May 31,
2008

Finished goods

   $ 29,572    $ 65,263

Work-in-process and raw materials

     5,610      2,198
             
   $ 35,182    $ 67,461
             

 

9. Business Combinations

During October 2007, Palm acquired substantially all of the assets of a corporation focused on developing solutions to enhance the performance of web applications. Palm acquired these assets in an all-cash transaction and agreed to the purchase price based on arm’s length negotiations. Palm expects this acquisition to accelerate the development of future products. The purchase price of approximately $0.5 million was comprised of approximately $0.5 million in cash, of which $0.1 million was deposited with an escrow agent pursuant to the terms of the escrow agreement, and less than $0.1 million in direct transaction costs. This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. Palm has performed a valuation and determined that the respective fair value of the assets acquired, using a discounted cash flow approach, was de minimis. As a result, goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired, was approximately $0.5 million and is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes.

During February 2007, Palm acquired the assets of two sole proprietorships focused on mobile computing and media devices, one a developer of user interface environments and the other a developer of email software applications. Palm acquired these assets in all-cash transactions and agreed to the purchase prices based on arm’s length negotiations.

 

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Palm expects these acquisitions to accelerate the development of future products. The purchase prices of $19.2 million in the aggregate were comprised of $19.0 million in cash and $0.2 million in direct transaction costs. These acquisitions were each accounted for as a purchase in accordance with SFAS No. 141. Palm performed valuations and allocated the total purchase consideration to the assets and liabilities acquired, including identifiable intangible assets based on their respective fair values on the acquisition dates, generally using a discounted cash flow approach. Palm acquired $14.6 million of intangible assets, consisting of $13.7 million in core technology, $0.5 million in non-compete agreements and $0.4 million in customer relationships to be amortized over a weighted-average period of approximately 79 months. Additionally, approximately $3.7 million of the purchase prices represented in-process research and development that had not yet reached technological feasibility, had no future alternative use and was charged to operations at the time of acquisition. Palm did not acquire any tangible assets or assume any liabilities as a result of the acquisitions. Goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, was approximately $0.9 million and is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes.

The results of operations for these acquisitions have been included in Palm’s results of operations since the acquisition dates. The financial results of these businesses prior to their acquisition are immaterial for purposes of pro forma financial disclosures.

 

10. Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are (in thousands):

 

Balance, May 31, 2007

   $ 167,596  

Acquisition of a business (see Note 9)

     495  

Goodwill adjustments

     (1,759 )
        

Balances, May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2008

   $ 166,332  
        

Goodwill decreased during fiscal year 2008 due to adjustments relating to the Handspring acquisition primarily for the recognition of foreign tax loss carryforwards and liabilities of approximately $(1.8) million, partially offset by the acquisition of a corporation resulting in goodwill of approximately $0.5 million during the year ended May 31, 2008. Palm will continue to adjust goodwill as required for changes in taxes associated with the Handspring acquisition.

 

11. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

          August 31, 2008
     Weighted Average
Amortization Period
(Months)
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net

Brand

   238    $ 28,700    $ (4,527 )   $ 24,173

Palm OS Garnet license

     60      44,000      (22,300 )     21,700

Acquisition related (see Note 9):

          

Core technology

     83      13,670      (3,074 )     10,596

Contracts and customer relationships

     12      400      (400 )     —  

Non-compete covenants

     36      520      (258 )     262
                        
      $ 87,290    $ (30,559 )   $ 56,731
                        

 

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          May 31, 2008
     Weighted Average
Amortization Period
(Months)
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net

Brand

   238    $ 28,700    $ (4,166 )   $ 24,534

Palm OS Garnet license

     60      44,000      (18,900 )     25,100

Acquisition related (see Note 9):

          

Core technology

     83      13,670      (2,562 )     11,108

Contracts and customer relationships

     12      400      (400 )     —  

Non-compete covenants

     36      520      (214 )     306
                        
      $ 87,290    $ (26,242 )   $ 61,048
                        

Amortization expense related to intangible assets was approximately $4.3 million each for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amortization of the Palm OS Garnet license and the applicable portion of core technology are included in cost of revenues.

The following table presents the estimated future amortization of intangible assets (in thousands):

 

Years Ended May 31,

    

Remaining nine months in fiscal year 2009

   $ 7,817

2010

     10,291

2011

     9,965

2012

     6,561

2013

     3,361

2014

     2,883

Thereafter

     15,853
      
   $ 56,731
      

In January 2008, Palm signed an agreement with Palm Entertainment, LLC to acquire additional rights for use of the Palm trademark in Palm’s operations. For these rights, Palm paid Palm Entertainment a total of $1.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 and is amortizing the intangible asset over the remaining life of Palm’s existing brand intangible asset, or approximately 17 years.

In December 2006, Palm signed an agreement with ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc. (formerly PalmSource, Inc.), or ACCESS Systems, to license the source code for Palm OS Garnet, the version of the Palm operating system used in several Palm smartphone models and all Palm handheld computers. Under the agreement, Palm has a royalty-free perpetual license to use as well as to innovate on the Palm OS Garnet code base. Palm will retain ownership rights in its innovations. The agreement also provides Palm flexibility to use Palm OS Garnet in whole or in part in any Palm product, and together with any other system technologies. In addition, Palm secured an expansion of its existing patent license from ACCESS Systems to cover all current and future Palm products, regardless of the underlying operating system. For all of these rights, Palm paid ACCESS Systems a total of $44.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 and is amortizing the intangible asset over five years.

In May 2005, Palm acquired PalmSource’s 55 percent share of PTHC and rights to the brand name Palm. The rights to the brand had been co-owned by the two companies through PTHC since the October 2003 spin-off of PalmSource from Palm, Inc. The agreement provides for Palm to pay $30.0 million in installments over 3.5 years (net present value of $27.2 million) and grants PalmSource certain rights to Palm trademarks for PalmSource and its licensees for a four-year transition period.

 

12. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended August 31, 2008 was approximately 6%. This amount resulted primarily from the computation of an income tax benefit for the United States with pre-tax loss at the applicable tax rate. Due to an increase in the valuation allowance related to the benefit associated with the non-deductible impairment charges of Palm’s non-current ARS, there was no net effect on Palm’s effective tax rate related to this item.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of August 31, 2008 was $50.3 million. Included in the balance as of August 31, 2008 was approximately $28.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The recognition of the remaining unrecognized tax benefits of $22.3 million would affect goodwill, if recognized. However, one or more of these unrecognized tax benefits could be subject to a valuation allowance if and when recognized in a future period, which could impact the timing of any related effective tax rate benefit.

 

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During the three months ended August 31, 2008, Palm did not recognize any previously unrecognized tax benefits as a result of evaluation of new facts, circumstances and information. Approximately $0.1 million of additional interest and penalties was recognized for the three months ended August 31, 2008.

Palm is subject to taxation in the United States, various states and several foreign jurisdictions. Palm is unable to make a determination as to whether or not recognition of any unrecognized tax benefits will occur within the next 12 months nor can it make an estimate of the range of any potential changes to the unrecognized tax benefits.

Palm has concluded that it is more likely than not that as of August 31, 2008 Palm’s net deferred tax assets will be realized. In making its conclusion, Palm considered all available evidence, both positive and negative. Key components of the evaluation are the cumulative results of operations in recent years, the nature of recent losses, forecasts of a return to profitability and the length of operating loss carryforward periods. A significant negative factor in the evaluation of a valuation allowance of the net deferred tax assets is cumulative losses in recent years and Palm may reach that position later during fiscal year 2009. The assessment of whether a valuation allowance is necessary will be made each quarter by considering all of the positive and negative evidence in existence at that time and, depending upon the nature and weighting of such evidence, a substantial increase in the valuation allowance may be required to reduce the deferred tax assets in the near term, which would result in a material charge to income tax expense.

 

13. Long-Term Debt

In October 2007, Palm entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., or the Credit Agreement, which governs a senior secured term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million, or the Term Loan, and a credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million, or the Revolver.

The Term Loan matures in April 2014, and bears interest at Palm’s election at 1-, 2-, 3-, or 6-month LIBOR plus 3.50%, or the Alternative Base Rate (higher of Prime Rate or Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%) plus 2.50%. As of August 31, 2008, the interest rate was based on 1-month LIBOR plus 3.50%, or 5.97%. The principal is payable at 1% of the original balance per annum for the first five and a half years in equal quarterly installments, beginning on December 31, 2007. The remaining principal amount is payable in quarterly installments during the final year preceding the maturity.

The Revolver matures in October 2012, and bears interest at Palm’s election at 1-, 2-, 3-, or 6-month LIBOR plus 3.50%, or the Alternative Base Rate (higher of Prime Rate or Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%) plus 2.50%. In addition, Palm is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the Revolver. As of August 31, 2008, Palm has not used the Revolver.

Palm paid issuance costs of approximately $18.9 million related to the Credit Agreement, which will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective interest method. For the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, total debt issuance costs of approximately $0.8 million and $0 were amortized to interest expense, respectively. The remaining balance of unamortized costs was approximately $16.3 million as of August 31, 2008, of which approximately $3.2 million is included in prepaids and other on Palm’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and $13.1 million which is included in other assets.

The Credit Agreement requires Palm to prepay the outstanding balance of the Term Loan using all net cash proceeds Palm receives from the issuance of additional debt or from the disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business (subject to threshold and reinvestment exceptions). On an annual basis after each fiscal-year end, Palm is also required to prepay the Term Loan in an amount between 25% and 75% of excess cash flow for the fiscal year, as defined in the Credit Agreement. As of August 31, 2008, Palm was not required to make any mandatory prepayments on its Term Loan. If Palm elects to make additional prepayments of the Term Loan in excess of those required under the Credit Agreement, Palm will be responsible to pay call premiums of (i) 103% in the first year, (ii) 102% in the second year, and (iii) 101% in the third year. Palm is permitted to make voluntary prepayments on the Revolver at any time without premium or penalty.

The Credit Agreement permits Palm to add one or more incremental term loan facilities and/or increase commitments under the Revolver up to $25 million, subject to certain restrictions.

 

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The Term Loan and Revolver contain restrictions on Palm’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to (i) incur certain debt, (ii) make certain investments, (iii) make certain acquisitions of other entities, (iv) incur liens, (v) dispose of assets, (vi) make non-cash distributions to shareholders (except the $9.00 per share distribution described in Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements), and (vii) engage in transactions with affiliates. The Credit Agreement is secured by all of the capital stock of certain Palm subsidiaries (limited, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the capital stock of such subsidiaries) and substantially all of Palm’s present and future assets.

As of August 31, 2008, $397.0 million and $0 were outstanding under the Term Loan and Revolver, respectively.

 

14. Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

On October 24, 2007, Elevation Partners L.P. invested $325.0 million in Palm in exchange for 325,000 shares of Palm’s Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock reflected a discount of approximately $9.8 million related to issuance costs, resulting in net cash proceeds of $315.2 million. Of these net cash proceeds, $250.2 million was allocated to Series B Preferred Stock, with the remaining $65.0 million allocated to additional paid-in capital as a result of the beneficial conversion feature discussed below. The Series B Preferred Stock is classified as mezzanine equity due to redemption provisions which provide for mandatory redemption in seven years of any outstanding Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is being accreted to its liquidation value of $325.0 million using the effective yield method, with such accretion being charged against additional paid-in capital over seven years. During the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, the accretion of the Series B Preferred Stock was approximately $2.4 million and $0, respectively.

The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have various rights and preferences as follows:

Voting: Generally, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote on all matters which the holders of Palm’s common stock are entitled to vote, except for the election of directors. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock will vote together with the holders of common stock as a single class. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which such share is convertible on the relevant record date. In addition, holders of a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to designate a number of directors proportional to the ownership of Palm’s common stock by Elevation Partners and its permitted assigns, on an as-converted basis. As of August 31, 2008, the Series B Preferred Stock was entitled to designate two directors.

Dividends: Subject to certain exceptions for stock dividends and distributions of rights under Palm’s rights plan, the Series B Preferred Stock will entitle its holders to receive, on an as-converted basis, the same type and amount of dividend or distribution to be made to holders of Palm’s common stock. In addition, if Palm fails to respect certain obligations under the certificate of designation for the Series B Preferred Stock, then Palm will be required to pay an additional cash dividend on each share of Series B Preferred Stock at an annual rate equal to the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. plus four percent.

Liquidation: The Series B Preferred Stock has an aggregate liquidation preference of $325.0 million plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. If Palm engages in a business combination transaction which results in the aggregate amount of Palm common stock and Series B Preferred Stock no longer holding the majority of voting power of the surviving entity, Palm will be required to offer to repurchase all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock for total cash equal to 101% of the liquidation preference, or, under certain conditions, for publicly traded shares of the acquiring entity with a total value equal to 105% of the liquidation preference.

Conversion: As of August 31, 2008, each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately 117.65 shares of Palm’s common stock at the option of the holder, or a total of 38,235,294 shares on an as-converted basis, reflecting a conversion price of $8.50 per share. After the third anniversary, or October 24, 2010, Palm may cause all of the Series B Preferred Stock to be converted into Palm’s common stock if the average closing price per share of Palm’s common stock during the prior 30 consecutive trading days is at least 180% of the conversion price in effect at that time, and the closing price per share of Palm’s common stock during at least 20 days of such period (including the last 15 trading days of such thirty-day period) is at least 180% of the then applicable conversion price. No shares were converted during the 3 months ended August 31, 2008.

Redemption: The Series B Preferred Stock provides for the mandatory redemption of any outstanding Series B Preferred Stock on October 24, 2014, at the liquidation preference.

Other: The purchase agreement requires the prior vote or written consent of the holders of Series B Preferred Stock before Palm may engage in certain actions impacting the issued or authorized amounts or the rights, preferences, powers, or privileges of the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

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On October 24, 2007, just prior to the consummation of the transaction, the closing price of Palm’s common stock, adjusted for the $9.00 per share distribution, was $10.18 per share, and the conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock was $8.50 per share. Because the adjusted closing price of the common stock on October 24, 2007 was greater than the conversion price, $65.0 million of the proceeds were allocated to an embedded beneficial conversion feature of the Series B Preferred Stock, computed as the difference between the adjusted closing price of Palm’s common stock on October 24, 2007 and the conversion price of $8.50 per share multiplied by the number of shares of common stock into which the Series B Preferred Stock was convertible and the $0.8 million issuance costs paid to Elevation Partners. The amount allocated to the beneficial conversion feature and recorded as a discount to the Series B Preferred Stock is being accreted based on the effective yield method, with such accretion being charged against additional paid-in capital over seven years.

Palm has agreed to provide the holders of Series B Preferred Stock piggyback registration rights in certain circumstances.

No dividends were declared or were in arrears on the Series B Preferred Stock as of August 31, 2008. However, the accretion of the discounts on the Series B Preferred Stock due to the beneficial conversion feature and issuance costs is treated in the same manner as preferred dividends for the computation of earnings per common share.

A summary of activity related to the Series B Preferred Stock is as follows (in thousands):

 

Gross proceeds

   $ 325,000  

Beneficial conversion feature

     (65,035 )

Issuance costs

     (9,784 )
        

Net series B redeemable convertible preferred stock at issuance

     250,181  

Issuance costs

     (26 )

Accretion of series B redeemable convertible preferred stock

     5,516  
        

Balance, May 31, 2008

     255,671  

Accretion of series B redeemable convertible preferred stock

     2,401  
        

Balance, August 31, 2008

   $ 258,072  
        

 

15. Commitments

Certain Palm facilities are leased under operating leases. Leases expire at various dates through May 2012.

In December 2006, Palm entered into a minimum purchase commitment obligation with Microsoft Licensing, GP over a two-year contract period. Under the terms of the agreement, Palm agreed to pay a minimum of $35.0 million through November 2008. In September 2007, the agreement was amended to include an additional minimum purchase commitment of $6.7 million. As of August 31, 2008, Palm had made payments totaling approximately $30.3 million. The remaining amount due under the agreement was approximately $11.4 million as of August 31, 2008.

In May 2005, Palm acquired PalmSource’s 55 percent share of PTHC and rights to the brand name Palm. The rights to the brand had been co-owned by the two companies through PTHC since the October 2003 spin-off of PalmSource from Palm. Palm agreed to pay $30.0 million in five installments due in May 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and November 2008, and granted PalmSource certain rights to Palm trademarks for PalmSource and its licensees for a four-year transition period. The net present value of these payments, $27.2 million, was recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized over 20 years. The amortization of the discount reported in interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $53,000 and $0.1 million, respectively. The remaining amount due to PalmSource under this agreement was approximately $3.8 million as of August 31, 2008.

During fiscal year 2008, Palm entered into an agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. to purchase system hardware to support our general infrastructure and one year of maintenance for a total of $3.7 million (net present value of $3.5 million). Under the terms of the agreement, Palm agreed to make quarterly payments from September 2008 through December 2009. The amortization of the discount reported in interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 2008 was approximately $44,000. The remaining amount due under the agreement was $3.7 million as of August 31, 2008.

During fiscal year 2007, Palm entered into a license agreement with Oracle Corporation to purchase software and one year of maintenance for a total of $3.3 million (net present value of $2.9 million). Under the terms of the agreement, Palm agreed to make quarterly payments over a three-year period ending July 2009. As of August 31, 2008, Palm had made payments totaling $2.2 million under the agreement. The amortization of the discount reported in interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $24,000 and $44,000, respectively. The remaining amount due under the agreement was $1.1 million as of August 31, 2008.

 

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During February and October 2007, Palm acquired the assets of several businesses. Under the purchase agreements, Palm agreed to pay up to $8.1 million over four years in employee incentive compensation based upon continued employment with Palm that will be recognized as compensation expense over the service period of the applicable employees. As of August 31, 2008, Palm had made payments totaling approximately $2.9 million under the purchase agreements. The remaining amount due under these agreements was $5.2 million as of August 31, 2008.

In October 2007, Palm declared a $9.00 per share one-time cash distribution on all shares outstanding as of October 24, 2007, resulting in a total amount due to Palm stockholders of $949.7 million. At this time, approximately $948.6 million of this distribution was paid in cash to eligible stockholders and the remaining $1.1 million was recorded as a distribution liability for holders of unvested restricted stock awards that were not eligible to receive a cash payment until their shares had vested. This distribution liability will be paid in cash as the related shares of restricted stock vest, ending in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010. As of August 31, 2008, the remaining amount due to holders of unvested restricted stock is approximately $0.7 million, of which approximately $0.5 million of this amount is classified in other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and approximately $0.2 million is classified within other non-current liabilities.

Palm accrues for royalty obligations to certain technology and patent holders based on (1) unit shipments of its smartphones and handheld computers, (2) a percentage of applicable revenue for the net sales of products using certain software technologies or (3) a fully paid-up license fee, all as determined in accordance with the applicable license agreements. Where agreements are not finalized, accrued royalty obligations represent management’s current best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections based on negotiations with third party licensors. Palm has estimated royalty obligations of $40.4 million which are reported in other accrued liabilities. While the amounts ultimately agreed upon may be more or less than the current accrual, management does not believe that finalization of the agreements would have had a material impact on the amounts reported for its financial position as of August 31, 2008 or on the results reported for the three months then ended; however, the effect of finalization of these agreements in the future may be significant to the period in which recorded.

Palm utilizes contract manufacturers to build its products. These contract manufacturers acquire components and build products based on demand forecast information supplied by Palm, which typically covers a rolling 12-month period. Consistent with industry practice, Palm acquires inventories from such manufacturers through blanket purchase orders against which orders are applied based on projected demand information. Such purchase commitments typically cover Palm’s forecasted product requirements for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days. In certain instances, these agreements allow Palm the option to cancel, reschedule and/or adjust its requirements based on its business needs. In some instances Palm also makes commitments with component suppliers in order to secure availability of key components that may be in short supply. Consequently, only a portion of Palm’s purchase commitments arising from these agreements may be non-cancelable and unconditional commitments. As of August 31, 2008, Palm’s cancellable and non-cancellable commitments to third-party manufacturers and suppliers for their inventory on-hand and component commitments related to the manufacture of Palm products were approximately $159.0 million.

As of August 31, 2008, Palm had approximately $8.2 million in restricted investments, which are collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

Palm uses foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate transaction gains and losses generated by certain foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, the result of which partially offsets its market exposure to fluctuations in foreign currencies. Changes in the fair value of these foreign exchange forward contracts are largely offset by re-measurement of the underlying assets and liabilities. These foreign exchange forward contracts have maturities of 28 days or less. As of August 31, 2008, Palm’s outstanding notional contract value, which approximates fair value, was approximately $15.3 million which settled within 28 days. Palm does not enter into derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.

Under the indemnification provisions of Palm’s customer and certain of its supply agreements, Palm agrees to offer some level of indemnification protection against certain types of claims arising from Palm’s products and services (such as intellectual property infringement or personal injury or property damage caused by Palm’s products or by Palm’s negligence or misconduct).

Under the indemnification provisions with respect to representations and covenants made to PalmSource in connection with the Palm brand and with respect to trademark infringement in the amended and restated trademark license agreement with PalmSource, Palm agreed to defend and indemnify PalmSource and its affiliates for losses incurred, up to $25.0 million under each agreement.

 

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Palm defends and indemnifies its current and former directors and certain of its current and former officers from third-party claims. Certain costs incurred for providing such defense and indemnification may be recoverable under various insurance policies. Palm is unable to reasonably estimate the maximum amount that could be payable under these arrangements since these exposures are not capped and due to the conditional nature of its obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in any situation that might arise.

Palm’s product warranty accrual reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Management determines the warranty liability based on historical rates of usage as a percentage of shipment levels and the expected repair cost per unit, service policies and its experience with products in production or distribution.

Changes in the product warranty accrual are (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 40,185     $ 41,087  

Payments made

     (21,034 )     (28,056 )

Change in liability for product sold during the period

     30,165       23,186  

Change in liability for pre-existing warranties

     1,595       (1,631 )
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 50,911     $ 34,586  
                

 

16. Restructuring Charges (Adjustments)

In accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, restructuring costs are recorded as incurred. Restructuring charges for employee workforce reductions are recorded upon employee notification for employees whose required continuing service period is 60 days or less, and ratably over the employee’s continuing service period for employees whose required continuing service period is greater than 60 days. In conjunction with the Handspring acquisition, Palm accrued for restructuring costs in accordance with EITF Issue No. 95-3, Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination. Prior to calendar year 2003, in accordance with EITF Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Costs to Exit an Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring), Palm accrued for restructuring costs when it made a commitment to a firm exit plan that specifically identified all significant actions to be taken.

The third quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions included charges of approximately $7.7 million related to workforce reductions across all geographic regions, primarily related to severance, benefits and related costs due to the reduction of approximately 130 regular employees, and approximately $7.0 million related to facilities and property and equipment that would be disposed of or removed from service in fiscal year 2008, including the closure of Palm’s retail stores. The facilities and property and equipment charge includes approximately $4.5 million related to property and equipment disposed of or removed from service and other charges related to the closure of Palm’s retail stores and approximately $2.5 million for lease commitments for facilities no longer in service. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, additional restructuring charges of approximately $0.3 million related to workforce reductions, including severance benefits and related costs, were recorded, partially offset by restructuring adjustments of approximately $0.1 million related to facilities and property and equipment as a result of more current information regarding lease closure costs. Palm took these restructuring actions to better align its cost structure with its then current revenue expectations.

The second quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions included project cancellation costs relating to the Foleo mobile companion product and discontinued development projects of approximately $5.9 million. Adjustments of approximately $0.7 million were recorded during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as a result of a higher-than-expected recovery on the disposition of unused components originally intended for the Foleo product. Restructuring charges were a result of Palm’s decision to focus its efforts on developing a single Palm software platform and to offer a consistent user experience centered on the new platform.

The first quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions included charges of approximately $9.4 million related to workforce reductions, including approximately $1.1 million related to stock-based compensation as a result of the acceleration of certain awards and approximately $8.3 million for other severance, benefits and related costs, and approximately $0.7 million relating to lease commitments for property and equipment disposed of or removed from service. Workforce reductions for the restructuring actions begun in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 affected approximately 120 regular employees primarily in the United States and were complete as of May 31, 2008. Palm took

 

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these restructuring actions to better align its cost structure with its then current revenue expectations. As of August 31, 2008, the balance consists of lease commitments, payable over approximately three years, offset by estimated sublease proceeds of approximately $0.6 million.

The fourth quarter of fiscal year 2001 restructuring actions related to facilities costs related to lease commitments for space no longer intended for use. During the year ended May 31, 2008, adjustments of approximately $0.2 million were recorded as a result of more current information regarding future estimated sublease income. As of August 31, 2008, the balance consists of lease commitments, payable over approximately three years, offset by estimated sublease proceeds of approximately $10.4 million.

The restructuring actions recorded in connection with the Handspring acquisition included $3.7 million related to Handspring facilities not intended for use for Palm operations and therefore considered excess. During the year ended May 31, 2008, adjustments of approximately $0.1 million were recorded and all actions were completed.

Accrued liabilities related to restructuring actions consist of (in thousands):

 

     Q3 2008 Action     Q2 2008
Action
    Q1 2008 Action     Q4 2001
Action
    Action
Recorded In
Connection
with the
Handspring
Acquisition
       
     Workforce
Reduction
Costs
    Excess
Facilities
and
Equipment
Costs
    Discontinued
Project
Costs
    Workforce
Reduction
Costs
    Excess
Facilities
and
Equipment
Costs
    Excess
Facilities
Costs
    Excess
Facilities
Costs
    Total  

Balance, May 31, 2007

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 5,092     $ 314     $ 5,406  

Restructuring charges (adjustments)

     7,723       6,958       5,928       9,400       684       (237 )     (103 )     30,353  

Cash payments

     (7,037 )     (2,019 )     (3,911 )     (8,309 )     (111 )     (917 )     (211 )     (22,515 )

Write-offs

     —         (3,679 )     (313 )     (1,091 )     (103 )     —         —         (5,186 )
                                                                

Balance, May 31, 2008

     686       1,260       1,704       —         470       3,938       —         8,058  

Restructuring charges (adjustments)

     347       (140 )     (680 )     —         —         —         —         (473 )

Cash payments

     (786 )     (1,067 )     (674 )     —         (53 )     (160 )     —         (2,740 )

Write-offs

     —         —         —         —         (29 )     —         —         (29 )
                                                                

Balance, August 31, 2008

   $ 247     $ 53     $ 350     $ —       $ 388     $ 3,778     $ —       $ 4,816  
                                                                

 

17. Patent acquisition cost (refund)

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, Palm paid $5.0 million to acquire patents and patent applications. These patents and patent applications were acquired for strategic purposes in order to more effectively respond to intellectual property claims that may arise in the course of Palm’s business and, as of that date, were not acquired directly for the purpose of incorporating specific features into future products or for specific features in current products for which Palm currently pays or expects to pay royalties. Accordingly, the acquisition cost was expensed during the period of acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, Palm received a refund of approximately $1.5 million as a result of a re-negotiation of the purchase price. This amount was recognized as a benefit to Palm’s operating results at the time of receipt.

 

18. Gain on Sale of Land

In August 2005, Palm entered into an agreement with a real-estate broker to market for sale the 39 acres of land owned by Palm in San Jose, California. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Palm reclassified the land as land held for sale at that time. The sale closed in June 2007, and during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 Palm received proceeds from the sale of land of approximately $64.5 million and recognized a gain on the sale, net of closing costs, of approximately $4.4 million.

 

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19. Litigation

Palm is a party to lawsuits in the normal course of its business. Litigation in general, and intellectual property litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. Palm believes that it has defenses to the cases pending against it, including those set forth below, and is vigorously contesting each matter. Palm is not currently able to estimate, with reasonable certainty, the possible loss, or range of loss, if any, from the cases listed below, and accordingly no provision for any potential loss which may result from the resolution of these matters has been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements except with respect to those cases where preliminary settlement agreements have been reached. An unfavorable resolution of these lawsuits could materially adversely affect Palm’s business, results of operations or financial condition. (Although Palm was formerly known as palmOne, Inc. and is now Palm, Inc. once again and Handspring has been merged into Palm, the pleadings in the pending litigation continue to reference former company names, including Palm Computing, Inc., Palm, Inc., palmOne, Inc. and Handspring, Inc.).

In June 2001, the first of several putative stockholder class action lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against certain of the underwriters for Palm’s initial public offering, Palm and several of its former officers. The complaints, which have been consolidated under the caption In re Palm, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Case No. 01 CV 5613, assert that the prospectus from Palm’s March 2, 2000 initial public offering failed to disclose certain alleged actions by the underwriters for the offering. The complaints allege claims against Palm and the officers under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Certain of the complaints also allege claims under Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Similar complaints were filed against Handspring in August and September 2001 in regard to Handspring’s June 2000 initial public offering. Other actions have been filed making similar allegations regarding the initial public offerings of more than 300 other companies. An amended consolidated complaint was filed in April 2002. The claims against the individual defendants have been dismissed without prejudice pursuant to an agreement with plaintiffs. The Court denied Palm’s motion to dismiss. In June 2004, a stipulation of settlement and release of claims against the issuer defendants, including Palm and Handspring, was submitted to the Court for approval. On August 31, 2005, the Court preliminarily approved the settlement. In December 2006, the Appellate Court overturned the certification of classes in the six test cases that were selected by the underwriter defendants and plaintiffs in the coordinated proceedings. Because class certification was a condition of the settlement, it was unlikely that the settlement would receive final Court approval. On June 25, 2007, the Court entered an order terminating the proposed settlement based upon a stipulation among the parties to the settlement. Plaintiffs have filed amended master allegations and amended complaints in the six focus cases, which the defendants in those cases have moved to dismiss. It is uncertain whether there will be any revised or future settlement.

In September and October 2005, five purported consumer class action lawsuits were filed against Palm, four in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Moya v. Palm, Berliner v. Palm, Loew v. Palm, and Geisen v. Palm) and one in the Superior Court of California for Santa Clara County (Palza v. Palm), on behalf of all purchasers of Palm Treo 600 and Treo 650 products. All five complaints allege in substance that Palm made false or misleading statements regarding the reliability of its Treo 600 and 650 products in violation of various California laws, that the products have certain alleged defects, and that Palm breached its warranty of these products. The complaints seek unspecified damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits and injunctive relief. In September 2005, a purported consumer class action lawsuit entitled Gans v. Palm was filed against Palm in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of all purchasers of the Treo 650 product. The complaint alleges that, in violation of various California laws, Palm made false or misleading statements regarding automatic email delivery to the Treo 650 product. The complaint seeks unspecified damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits and injunctive relief. Palm removed the Palza case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Subsequently, all six cases were consolidated before a single judge in that Court and the plaintiffs provided a consolidated, amended complaint. The parties have agreed to a tentative settlement. On January 7, 2008, the Court granted preliminary approval of a settlement of this action and Palm provided notice to the settlement class members. A hearing to determine final settlement approval was conducted on May 23, 2008 and on July 9, 2008 the Court issued an Order approving the settlement with respect to the class and dismissing claims of the settlement class with prejudice. The Court reserved ruling on the application of plaintiffs’ counsel for attorneys’ fees and incentive awards to the representative plaintiffs. Intervenors at the hearing filed an appeal of the Court’s ruling on August 11, 2008. On September 25, 2008, the appellate court dismissed it as being untimely and the District Court ruling therefore became final. The terms of the Order issued by the Court will result in a resolution not material to Palm’s financial position. If approved as requested the terms of the proposed attorneys’ fees and incentive awards will result in a resolution not material to Palm’s financial position.

 

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On November 6, 2006, NTP, Inc. filed suit against Palm in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In the lawsuit, entitled NTP, Inc. v. Palm, Inc., NTP alleges direct and indirect infringement of seven patents and seeks unspecified compensatory and treble damages and to enjoin Palm from infringing the patents in the future. On December 22, 2006, Palm responded to the complaint. Palm also moved to stay the litigation pending conclusion and any appeal of reexamination proceedings currently before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. On March 22, 2007 the Court granted Palm’s motion and ordered the case be stayed “…until the validity of the patents-in-suit is resolved at the Patent and Trademark Office and through any consequent appeals.”

On May 18, 2007 Intermec Inc. filed suit against Palm in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In the lawsuit, entitled Intermec Technologies Corp., Inc. v. Palm, Inc., Intermec alleges direct and indirect infringement of five patents and seeks unspecified compensatory and treble damages and to enjoin Palm from future infringement. In August 2007, Palm filed counterclaims against Intermec including allegations of infringement by Intermec of two Palm patents. Palm seeks compensatory damages and to permanently enjoin Intermec from future infringement. The case is in discovery.

 

20. Related Party Transactions

In fiscal year 2005, Palm made a $1.0 million equity investment in and entered into an agreement to host Palm’s software sales with Motricity, Inc. This equity investment is included in other assets. Palm paid nominal service fees to Motricity for hosting Palm’s software sales during the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements included in this Form 10-Q. Our 52-53 week fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest to May 31, with each quarter ending on the Friday generally nearest August 31, November 30 and February 28. For presentation purposes, the periods have been presented as ending on August 28 and May 31.

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements concerning Palm’s expectations, beliefs and/or intentions regarding the following: mobile products and the mobile product market; our leadership position in mobile products; our revenue, cost of revenue, gross margins, operating income, operating expenses, operating results and profitability; our corporate strategy; growth in the smartphone market; capitalizing on industry trends and dynamics; economic trends and market conditions; our platform strategy; international, political and economic risk; our development and introduction of new products and services; acceptance of our smartphone products; market demand for our products; our ability to differentiate our products, deliver a range of product choices around open platforms and develop products to serve a broad range of customers; our ability to lead on design, ease-of-use and functionality; the development and timing of our new operating system and related software and the introduction of products based on this new platform; competition and our competitive advantages; our ability to build our brand and consumers’ awareness of our products; the resources that we and our competitors devote to development, promotion and sale of products; revenue and credit concentration with our largest customers; collectability of customer accounts; royalty obligations; inventory, channel inventory levels and inventory valuation; price protection, rebates and returns; product warranty accrual and liability; our effective tax rate and income tax expense; our tax strategy; realization and recoverability of our net deferred tax assets; the need to increase our deferred tax asset valuation allowance; utilization of our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards; our belief that our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements; our liquidity, cash flow, cash position and ability to obtain additional funding; impairment charges and recovery in market value in connection with our investments in auction rate securities; the liquidity of, holding periods for and our ability and intent to hold our auction rate securities; the completion of restructuring actions; compensation and other expense reductions; dividends; interest rates; the timing and amount of our cash generation and cash flows; declines in the handheld market and in our handheld business; unrecognized compensation cost under our stock plans; stock price volatility; option exercise behavior under our stock plans; vesting, terms and forfeiture of our equity awards; our stock-based compensation valuation models; our defenses to, and the effects and outcomes of, legal proceedings and litigation matters; provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and a Stockholders’ Agreement and the potential effects of a stockholder rights plan; our relationship with Elevation Partners, L.P.; our debt obligations, the related interest expense for future periods and the effect of any non-compliance; and the potential impact of our critical accounting policies and changes in financial accounting standards or practices. Actual results and events could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this quarterly report. Palm undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

Overview and Executive Summary

Palm, Inc. is a leading provider of mobile products that enhance the lifestyles of individual users and business customers worldwide. Our leadership results from creating thoughtfully integrated technologies that better enable people to stay connected with their family, friends and colleagues, access and share the information that matters to them most and manage their daily lives on the go. Palm offers Treo and Centro smartphones, handheld computers and accessories through a network of wireless carriers, as well as retail and business outlets worldwide.

 

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Our objective is to be the leader in mobile lifestyle products for individual users and business customers. To achieve this, we focus on the following strategies: differentiate our products through innovative software, inspiring industrial design and the seamless integration of hardware, system software, applications and services to deliver a delightful mobile user experience; deliver a range of product choices around open platforms; focus on our core competencies by using a leveraged model to develop, manufacture, distribute and support our products; and build a brand synonymous with a mobile lifestyle. Management periodically reviews certain key business metrics in order to evaluate our strategy and operational efficiency, allocate resources and maximize the financial performance of our business. These key business metrics include the following:

Revenue—Management reviews many elements to understand our revenue stream. These elements include supply availability, unit shipments, average selling prices and channel inventory levels. Revenues are impacted by unit shipments and variations in average selling prices. Unit shipments are determined by supply availability, timing of wireless carrier certification, end user and channel demand, and channel inventory. We monitor average selling prices throughout the product life cycle, taking into account market demand and competition. To avoid empty shelves at retail store locations and to minimize product returns and obsolescence, we strive to maintain channel inventory levels within a desired range.

Margins—We review gross margin in conjunction with revenues to maximize operating performance. We strive to improve our gross margin through disciplined cost and product life-cycle management, supply/demand management and control of our warranty and technical support costs. To achieve desired operating margins, we also monitor our operating expenses closely to keep them in line with our projected revenue.

Cash flows—We strive to convert operating results to cash. To that end, we carefully manage our working capital requirements through balancing accounts receivable and inventory with accounts payable. We monitor our cash balances to maintain cash available to support our operating, investing and financing requirements.

We believe the mobile lifestyle solutions market dynamics are generally favorable to us. The high-speed wireless networks which enable true “always-on” connectivity are fueling the growth of the market for smartphone devices. With our computing heritage, we are able to work closely with wireless carriers to deploy advanced wireless data applications that take advantage of their wireless data networks.

The smartphone market is emerging and people are beginning to understand the personal and professional benefits of being able to access email or browse the web on a smartphone. We intend to lead on design, ease-of-use and functionality and serve a broad range of customers with products focused on their needs. We expect this market to expand and we are focusing our efforts in order to capitalize on this expansion.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in Palm’s condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, these estimates and judgments are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. The amounts of assets and liabilities reported in our balance sheets and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported for each of our fiscal periods are affected by estimates and assumptions which are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for rebates, price protection, product returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, warranty and technical service costs, royalty obligations, goodwill and intangible asset valuations, restructurings, inventory, stock-based compensation, impairment of non-current auction rate securities and income taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The following critical accounting policies are significantly affected by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when earned in accordance with applicable accounting standards and guidance, including Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 104, Revenue Recognition, and AICPA Statement of Position, or SOP, No. 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, as amended. We recognize revenues from sales of mobile products under the terms of the customer agreement upon transfer of title to the customer, net of estimated returns, provided that the sales price is fixed or determinable, collection is determined to be probable and no significant obligations remain. For our web sales distributors, we recognize revenue based on a sell-through method utilizing information provided by the distributor. Sales to resellers are subject to agreements allowing for limited rights of return and price protection. Accordingly, revenue is reduced for our estimates of liability related to these rights. The estimate for returns is recorded at the time the related sale is recognized and is adjusted periodically based upon historical rates of returns and other related factors. The reserves for rebates and price protection are recorded at the time these programs are offered in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, Issue

 

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No. 01-9, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products). Price protection is estimated based on specific programs, expected usage and historical experience. Rebates are estimated based on specific programs, actual wireless carrier purchase volumes and the expected percentage of end users that will redeem their rebates, which is estimated based on historical experience. Rebate estimates are refined over the program period as actual results are experienced. We have accrued rebate obligations of $58.9 million as of August 31, 2008 which are included in other accrued liabilities. Actual claims for price protection, rebates and returns may vary over time and could differ from our estimates.

Revenue from software arrangements with end users of our devices is recognized upon delivery of the software, provided that collection is determined to be probable and no significant obligations remain. For arrangements with multiple elements, we allocate revenue to each element using the residual method. When all of the undelivered elements are software-related, this allocation is based on vendor specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of fair value of the undelivered items. VSOE is based on the price determined by management having the relevant authority when the element is not yet sold separately, but is expected to be sold in the marketplace within six months of the initial determination of the price by management. When the undelivered elements include non-software related items, this allocation is based on objective and reliable evidence of fair value, in accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. We defer the portion of the fee equal to the fair value of the undelivered elements until they are delivered.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and an assessment of international, political and economic risk as well as the aging of the accounts receivable. If there is a change in a major customer’s creditworthiness or actual defaults differ from our historical experience, our actual results could differ from our estimates of recoverability.

Warranty Costs

We accrue for warranty costs based on historical rates of repair as a percentage of shipment levels and the expected repair cost per unit, service policies and our experience with products in production or distribution. If we experience claims or significant changes in costs of services, such as third-party vendor charges, materials or freight, which could be higher or lower than our historical experience, our cost of revenues could differ from our estimates.

Royalty Obligations

We accrue for royalty obligations to certain technology and patent holders based on (1) unit shipments of our smartphones and handheld computers, (2) a percentage of applicable revenue for the net sales of products using certain software technologies or (3) a fully paid-up license fee, all as determined in accordance with the applicable license agreements. Where agreements are not finalized, accrued royalty obligations represent management’s current best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections based on negotiations with third party licensors. We have estimated royalty obligations of $40.4 million which are reported in other accrued liabilities. While the amounts ultimately agreed upon may be more or less than the current accrual, management does not believe that finalization of the agreements would have had a material impact on the amounts reported for our financial position as of August 31, 2008 or on the results reported for the three months then ended; however, the effect of finalization of these agreements in the future may be significant to the period in which recorded.

Fair Value Accounting

Effective June 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard, or SFAS, No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, to account for our financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 provides a framework for measuring fair value, clarifies the definition of fair value, and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. The standard establishes a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

 

   

Level 1 - Observable quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2 - Observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, observable quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; or

 

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Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

The fair value of our Level 1 financial assets is based on quoted market prices of the identical underlying security and generally include cash, money market funds and United States Treasury securities with quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of our Level 2 financial assets is based on observable inputs to quoted market prices, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency and generally include United States government agency debt securities, corporate notes/bonds and certificates of deposit. We did not have observable inputs for the valuation of our balances of non-current auction rate securities, or ARS, and equity investments included in other assets. See Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for our methodology for valuing these assets. As of August 31, 2008, the total amount of assets classified as Level 3 was approximately $23.5 million, which represents 8.4% of the total amount of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, or $279.9 million. As of August 31, 2008, we do not have any liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Discussion of how we determine the fair value of our investments in non-current ARS may be found below.

In accordance with SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of SFAS No. 115¸ which we adopted on June 1, 2008, we evaluated our existing eligible financial assets and liabilities and elected not to adopt the fair value option for any eligible items during the three months ended August 31, 2008. However, because the SFAS No. 159 election is based on an instrument-by-instrument election at the time we first recognize an eligible item or enter into an eligible firm commitment, we may decide to exercise the option on new items when business reasons support doing so in the future.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

Long-lived assets such as property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not ultimately be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its ultimate disposition.

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment

We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill annually during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, as required under Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test at the reporting unit level within our single reporting segment. A goodwill impairment loss would be recorded for any goodwill that is determined to be impaired. Under SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, intangible assets are evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may be impaired. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset to the extent that the asset’s carrying value is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying value is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, including disposition. Cash flow estimates used in evaluating for impairment represent management’s best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections at the time.

Restructuring Costs

Effective for calendar year 2003, in accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, which supersedes EITF Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Costs to Exit an Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring), we record liabilities for costs associated with exit or disposal activities when the liability is incurred. Prior to calendar year 2003, in accordance with EITF Issue No. 94-3, we accrued for restructuring costs when we made a commitment to a firm exit plan that specifically identified all significant actions to be taken. We record initial restructuring charges based on assumptions and related estimates that we deem appropriate for the economic environment at the time these estimates are made. We reassess restructuring accruals on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the costs of the restructuring activities, and we record new restructuring accruals as liabilities are incurred.

Inventory Valuation and Inventory Purchase Commitments

Inventory purchases and purchase commitments are based upon forecasts of future demand. We value our inventory at the lower of standard cost (which approximates first-in, first-out cost) or market. If we believe that demand no longer allows us to sell our inventory above cost or at all, we write down that inventory to market or write-off excess inventory levels. If customer demand subsequently differs from our forecasts, requirements for inventory write-offs could differ from our estimates.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.

We rely primarily on the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options and employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP, shares. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex variables. These variables include our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, expected risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

We estimate the expected term of options granted based on historical time from vesting until exercise and the expected term of ESPP shares using the average life of the purchase periods under each offering. We estimate the volatility of our common stock based upon the implied volatility derived from the historical market prices of our traded options with similar terms. Our decision to use this measure of volatility was based upon the availability of actively traded options on our common stock and our assessment that this measure of volatility is more representative of future stock price trends than the historical volatility in our common stock. We base the risk-free interest rate for option valuation on Constant Maturity Treasury rates provided by the United States Treasury with remaining terms similar to the expected term of the options. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures of share-based awards to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), we determined the fair value of modifications made to stock options in September and October 2007 in connection with the recapitalization transaction using the Trinomial Lattice simulation model. We used the inputs and assumptions described above for volatility, risk-free interest rate and estimated dividends. We also incorporated an early exercise multiple of 1.95, the stock prices on the dates of modification (adjusted for the $9.00 per share distribution) and the strike prices of the affected awards (adjusted for the $9.00 per share distribution).

The Geometric Brownian Motion simulation model was utilized to determine the fair value of stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards granted with market conditions, or performance of Palm’s stock price, in connection with the recapitalization transaction in October 2007. This model was utilized in order to incorporate more complex variables than closed-form models such as the Black-Scholes option valuation model. We used the inputs and assumptions described above for volatility, risk-free interest rate and estimated dividends. We also incorporated the specific terms of the awards to simulate multiple stock price paths over the various vesting periods to determine the average net present value across the simulation trials. The Geometric Brownian Motion simulation model is based on trials simulating the achievement of the market conditions and calculating the net present value of the fair value over all of the trials.

There are significant differences among valuation models, and there is a possibility that we will adopt different valuation models in the future. This may result in a lack of consistency between periods and materially affect the fair value estimate of share-based payments. It may also result in a lack of comparability with other companies that use different models, methods and assumptions.

Non-Current Auction Rate Securities

We hold a variety of interest bearing ARS that represent investments in pools of assets, including commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, credit linked notes and credit derivative products. At the time of acquisition, these ARS investments were intended to provide liquidity via an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined calendar intervals, allowing investors to either roll over their holdings or gain immediate liquidity by selling such interests at par. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, uncertainties in the credit markets affected all of our holdings in ARS investments and auctions for our investments in these securities failed to settle on their respective settlement dates. Auctions for our investments in ARS have continued to fail during the three months ended August 31, 2008. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid and we will not be able to access these funds until a future auction of these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside of the auction process. Maturity dates for these ARS investments range from 2017 to 2052. We currently have the ability and intent to hold these ARS investments until a recovery of the auction process and/or for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

Historically, the fair value of ARS investments approximated par value due to the frequent resets through the auction process. While we continue to earn interest on these investments at the maximum contractual rate, they are not currently trading and therefore do not currently have a readily determinable market value. As of August 31, 2008, the par value of Palm’s investment in ARS was approximately $74.7 million. The estimated fair value no longer approximates par value.

 

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We have used a discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value of our investment in ARS as of August 31, 2008. Using this approach, estimates for interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding periods of the ARS were used and the expected future cash flows were calculated over the expected life of each security and were discounted to a single present value using an estimated market required rate of return. Our most significant assumptions made in the present value calculations were the estimated weighted average lives for the collateral underlying each individual ARS and the estimated required rates of return used to discount the estimated future cash flows over the estimated life of each security, which considered both the credit quality for each individual ARS and the market liquidity for these investments. As of August 31, 2008, using this assessment of fair value, we determined there was a further decline in the fair value of our ARS investments of approximately $7.5 million, of which $(0.1) million was deemed temporary and $7.6 million was recognized as a pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge. In addition, during the three months ended August 31, 2008, we determined that certain of our investments in ARS continued to experience a decline in fair value. As a result, we concluded that the impairment of these ARS investments was other-than-temporary and the associated unrealized losses of approximately $7.4 million were recognized during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as additional pre-tax impairment of non-current ARS, with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

We review our impairments in accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and related guidance issued by the FASB and the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, in order to determine the classification of the impairment as “temporary” or “other-than-temporary”. A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized loss being recorded in the other comprehensive loss component of stockholders’ equity. Such an unrealized loss does not affect net loss for the applicable accounting period. An other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded as a realized loss in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and is a component of the net loss for the applicable accounting period. The primary differentiating factors considered by Palm to classify its impairments between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are the length of the time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and our current intent and ability to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

The valuation of our investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact its valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, liquidity and ongoing strength and quality of credit markets.

Income Taxes

Our deferred tax assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to estimated realizable value, based on forecasts of results and certain of our tax planning strategies. The carrying value of our net deferred tax assets assumes that it is more likely than not that we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to realize the net carrying value. The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly and is maintained until sufficient positive evidence exists to support the reversal of the valuation allowance based upon current and preceding years’ results of operations and anticipated profit levels in future years. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to adjust our valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes.

On June 1, 2007, we adopted FASB Financial Interpretation, or FIN, No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, we recognize the tax liability for uncertain income tax positions on the income tax return based on the two-step process prescribed in the interpretation. The first step is to determine whether it is more likely than not that each income tax position would be sustained upon audit. The second step is to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. Estimating these amounts requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We evaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on the consideration of several factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in applicable tax law, settlement of issues under audit and new exposures. If we later determine that our exposure is lower or that the liability is not sufficient to cover our revised expectations, we adjust the liability and effect a related change in our tax provision during the period in which we make such determination.

 

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Our key critical accounting policies are periodically reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Results of Operations

Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
     2008    % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

Revenues

   $ 366,857    100.0 %   $ 360,759    100.0 %   $ 6,098

We derive our revenues from sales of our smartphones, handheld computers, add-ons and accessories. Revenues for the three months ended August 31, 2008 increased approximately 2% from the three months ended August 31, 2007. Smartphone revenue was $333.8 million for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and increased approximately 10% from $302.2 million for the three months ended August 31, 2007. Handheld revenue was $33.1 million for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and decreased approximately 44% from $58.6 million for the three months ended August 31, 2007. During the three months ended August 31, 2008, net device units shipped were approximately 1,334,000 units at an average selling price of $273 per unit. During the three months ended August 31, 2007, net device units shipped were approximately 1,008,000 units at an average selling price of $348 per unit. Of this 2% increase in revenues, the higher unit shipments and accessories sales resulted in an increase of approximately 23 percentage points and the decrease in average selling prices partially offset this increase by approximately 21 percentage points. The increase in unit shipments is primarily due to an increase in smartphone unit shipments, partially offset by a decline in traditional handheld unit shipments as a result of the declining handheld market. The decrease in our average selling price is a result of a shift in product mix during the period towards lower-priced Centro smartphone products and a reduction in the volume of certain of our Treo smartphone products which carry higher average selling prices. We expect our handheld business to continue to decline throughout the remainder of fiscal year 2009.

International revenues were approximately 10% of worldwide revenues for the three months ended August 31, 2008, compared with approximately 21% for the three months ended August 31, 2007.

Of the 2% increase in worldwide revenues for the three months ended August 31, 2008 as compared to the three months ended August 31, 2007, approximately 13 percentage points resulted from an increase in United States revenues, partially offset by an approximately 11 percentage point decrease in international revenues. Average selling prices for our units decreased by approximately 24% in the United States and by approximately 19% internationally during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as compared to the three months ended August 31, 2007. The decrease in average selling prices in each region is primarily the result of a shift in product mix during the year towards lower-priced smartphone products and a reduction in the volume of certain of our smartphone products which carry higher average selling prices. Net unit devices shipped increased approximately 54% in the United States and decreased approximately 37% internationally compared to the year ago period. The increase in net units sold in the United States is primarily the result of the success of our Centro smartphone products, partially offset by a decline in traditional handheld unit sales. The decrease in net units sold internationally is primarily due to a decline in traditional handheld units as a result of the declining handheld market, coupled with a decrease in smartphone unit sales.

Cost of Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
     2008    % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

Cost of revenues

   $ 269,516    73.5 %   $ 230,335    63.8 %   $ 39,181

Cost of revenues principally consists of material and transformation costs to manufacture our products, operating system, or OS, costs and other royalty expenses, warranty and technical support costs, freight, scrap and rework costs, the cost of excess or obsolete inventory and manufacturing overhead which includes manufacturing personnel related costs, depreciation and

 

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allocated information technology and facilities costs. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues increased by 9.7 percentage points to 73.5% for the three months ended August 31, 2008 from 63.8% for the three months ended August 31, 2007. Of the increase in cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues, 5.9 percentage points resulted from a shift in product mix towards smartphone products with lower margins. The cost of warranty repairs increased 3.2 percentage points for the three months ended August 31, 2008 compared to the year ago period primarily due to a higher per unit repair cost, coupled with a shift in mix to smartphone products, which carry a higher per unit repair cost. An increase in freight charges resulted in a 0.5 percentage point increase in cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues as a result of increased shipment volumes coupled with an increase in fuel surcharges. Excess and obsolete costs associated with inventories which are no longer salable resulted in a 0.4 percentage point increase for the three months ended August 31, 2008 compared to the year ago period. These increased costs as a percentage of revenues were partially offset by a 0.4 percentage point decrease in technical service costs primarily because of lower call volumes coupled with lower per unit call costs.

Sales and Marketing

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008    % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Sales and marketing

   $ 57,407    15.6 %   $ 60,195    16.7 %   $ (2,788 )

Sales and marketing expenses consist principally of advertising and marketing programs, salaries and benefits for sales and marketing personnel, sales commissions, travel expenses and allocated information technology and facilities costs. Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended August 31, 2008 decreased approximately 5% from the three months ended August 31, 2007. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue and in absolute dollars is primarily due to the following factors. Employee-related and travel expenses decreased approximately $4.2 million resulting from a decrease in our average headcount of approximately 80 employees during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as compared to the year ago period. As a result of the closure of our retail stores during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, we realized decreased operating costs of approximately $2.9 million during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as compared to the year ago period. In addition, allocated costs also decreased by approximately $0.9 million as a result of fewer software system implementations and associated depreciation. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in advertising and product promotional programs of approximately $4.0 million due to an increase in product launches during the current period. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, we shifted our focus to product advertising from our brand campaign in the year ago period, resulting in higher product advertising costs as well as an increase in units provided to our wireless carrier partners for product certification and demonstration purposes. Additionally, we experienced an increase in our marketing development expenses with our carrier customers of approximately $1.3 million as a result of higher smartphone carrier revenue compared to the same period last year.

Research and Development

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008    % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Research and development

   $ 48,809    13.3 %   $ 52,616    14.6 %   $ (3,807 )

Research and development expenses consist principally of employee-related costs, third-party development costs, program materials, depreciation and allocated information technology and facilities costs. Research and development expenses for the three months ended August 31, 2008 decreased approximately 7% from the three months ended August 31, 2007. The decrease in research and development expenses as a percentage of revenue and in absolute dollars is primarily due to the following factors. Outsourced engineering, consulting and project material costs decreased approximately $8.6 million over the same period last year due to a more streamlined engineering process during the three months ended August 31, 2008 primarily driven by our effort to focus, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, on developing a single Palm-based software platform. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in employee-related expenses of approximately $3.4 million primarily due to the recruiting and relocation of engineering personnel and their related employment costs coupled with an increase in variable compensation. Stock-based compensation increased approximately $1.4 million during the three months ended August 31, 2008 primarily as a result of a higher average balance of outstanding stock-based awards as compared to the same period last year coupled with higher weighted-average fair value assumptions for the period compared to the three months ended August 31, 2007.

 

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General and Administrative

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
     2008    % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

General and administrative

   $ 14,065    3.8 %   $ 13,996    3.9 %   $ 69

General and administrative expenses consist principally of employee-related costs, travel expenses and allocated information technology and facilities costs for finance, legal, human resources and executive functions, outside legal and accounting fees, provision for doubtful accounts and business insurance costs. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended August 31, 2008 were relatively flat compared to the three months ended August 31, 2007. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues is due to the increase in our revenues. The increase in general and administrative expenses in absolute dollars is primarily due to the following factors. Employee-related expenses increased approximately $0.5 million primarily due to increased recruiting fees for key management positions. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $0.4 million, reflecting the quality of our accounts receivable balances and the decline of outstanding accounts receivable balance as compared to the year-ago period ending balance.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008    % of Revenue         2007        % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Amortization of intangible assets

   $ 883    0.2 %   $ 961    0.3 %   $ (78 )

The decrease in amortization of intangible assets in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue is due to our acquisition-related contracts and customer relationships intangible assets becoming fully amortized during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

Patent acquisition cost (refund)

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008     % of Revenue         2007        % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Patent acquisition cost (refund)

   $ (1,537 )   (0.4 )%   $ 5,000    1.4 %   $ (6,537 )

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, we paid $5.0 million to acquire patents and patent applications. These patents and patent applications were acquired for strategic purposes in order to more effectively respond to intellectual property claims that may arise in the course of our business and, as of that date, were not acquired directly for the purpose of incorporating specific features into future products or for specific features in current products for which we currently pay or expect to pay royalties. Accordingly, the acquisition cost was expensed during the period of acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, we received a refund of approximately $1.5 million as a result of a re-negotiation of the purchase price. This amount was recognized as a benefit to our operating results at the time of receipt.

Restructuring Charges (Adjustments)

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008     % of Revenue         2007        % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Restructuring charges (adjustments)

   $ (473 )   (0.1 )%   $ 6,604    1.8 %   $ (7,077 )

 

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Restructuring charges (adjustments) relate to the implementation of a series of reorganization actions taken in prior years to streamline our business structure. Restructuring adjustments recorded during the three months ended August 31, 2008 of approximately $0.5 million consist of adjustments of approximately $0.7 million related to restructuring actions taken during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 partially offset by charges of approximately $0.2 million related to restructuring actions taken during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008.

 

   

The third quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions included charges of approximately $7.7 million related to workforce reductions across all geographic regions, primarily related to severance, benefits and related costs due to the reduction of approximately 130 regular employees and approximately $7.0 million related to facilities and property and equipment that would be disposed of or removed from service in fiscal year 2008, including the closure of our retail stores. The facilities and property and equipment charge includes approximately $4.5 million related to property and equipment disposed of or removed from service and other charges related to the closure of our retail stores and approximately $2.5 million for lease commitments for facilities no longer in service. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, additional restructuring charges of approximately $0.3 million related to workforce reductions, including severance benefits and related costs, were recorded, partially offset by restructuring adjustments of approximately $0.1 million related to facilities and property and equipment as a result of more current information regarding lease closure costs. We took these restructuring actions to better align our cost structure with then current revenue expectations.

Our third quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions are expected to be substantially completed by the third quarter of fiscal year 2009. When complete, these actions are expected to result in annual expense reductions of at least $15.2 million related to compensation reductions, all of which are expected to have a positive impact on cash flows in future years. As of August 31, 2008, cash payments totaling approximately $7.8 million related to workforce reductions and $3.1 million related to facilities and property and equipment had been made related to these actions.

 

   

The second quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions included project cancellation costs relating to the Foleo mobile companion product and discontinued development projects of approximately $5.9 million. Adjustments of approximately $0.7 million were recorded during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as a result of a higher-than-expected recovery on the disposition of unused components originally intended for the Foleo product. Restructuring charges were a result of our decision to focus our efforts on developing a single Palm software platform and to offer a consistent user experience centered on the new platform.

Our second quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions are expected to be substantially completed by the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. As of August 31, 2008, cash payments of approximately $4.6 million have been made related to these actions.

 

   

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, restructuring charges of approximately $6.6 million were recorded related to actions begun in that quarter, of which approximately $6.4 million related to workforce reductions, including severance, benefits and related costs, and $0.2 million related to property and equipment disposed of or removed from service. During the last nine months of fiscal year 2008, we recorded additional charges of approximately $3.0 million related to workforce reductions, including approximately $1.1 million related to stock-based compensation as a result of the acceleration of certain awards and approximately $1.9 for other severance, benefits and related costs and approximately $0.5 million relating to property and equipment disposed of or removed from service. The excess facilities and equipment costs were recognized for lease commitments, payable over approximately three years, offset by estimated sublease proceeds of approximately $0.6 million. Workforce reductions for the restructuring actions begun in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 affected approximately 120 regular employees primarily in the United States. We took these restructuring actions to better align our cost structure with then current revenue expectations.

Our first quarter of fiscal year 2008 restructuring actions are complete except for remaining contractual payments for excess facilities. These actions are expected to result in annual expense reductions of at least $15.0 million related to compensation reductions, all of which are expected to have a positive impact on cash flows in future years. As of August 31, 2008, cash payments totaling approximately $8.3 million related to workforce reductions and $0.2 million related to facilities and property and equipment had been made related to these actions.

 

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Gain on Sale of Land

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
       2008      % of Revenue     2007     % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

Gain on sale of land

   $ —      —   %   $ (4,446 )   (1.2 )%   $ 4,446

In August 2005, we entered into an agreement with a real estate broker to market for sale the 39 acres of land owned by Palm in San Jose, California. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, we reclassified the land to land held for sale at that time. The sale closed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 and we received proceeds from the sale of land of approximately $64.5 million and recognized a gain on the sale, net of closing costs, of approximately $4.4 million.

Impairment of Non-Current Auction-Rate Securities

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
     2008     % of Revenue         2007        % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

Impairment of non-current auction rate securities

   $ (14,965 )   (4.1 )%   $ —      —   %   $ 14,965

Impairment of non-current auction rate securities for the three months ended August 31, 2008 reflects an impairment charge of approximately $15.0 million recognized on our non-current ARS. These non-current ARS are interest bearing and represent investments in pools of assets, including commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, credit linked notes and credit derivative products. We have used a discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value of our investments in ARS as of August 31, 2008. Using this approach, estimates for interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding periods of the ARS were used and the expected future cash flows were calculated over the expected life of each security and were discounted to a single present value using an estimated market required rate of return. For the three months ended August 31, 2008, using this assessment of fair value, we determined there was a further decline in the fair value of our ARS investments of approximately $7.5 million, of which $(0.1) million was deemed temporary and $7.6 million was recognized as a pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge. In addition, during the three months ended August 31, 2008, we determined that certain of our investments in ARS continued to experience a decline in fair value. As a result, we concluded that the impairment of these ARS investments was other-than-temporary and the associated unrealized losses of approximately $7.4 million were recognized during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as additional pre-tax impairment of non-current ARS, with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The valuation of our investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact its valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, liquidity and ongoing strength and quality of credit markets.

If the current market conditions deteriorate further, or the anticipated recovery in market values does not occur, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in future quarters.

We continue to monitor the market for ARS and consider its impact, if any, on the fair value of our ARS investments.

Interest (Expense)

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
     2008     % of Revenue     2007     % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

Interest (expense)

   $ (6,894 )   (1.9 )%   $ (153 )   —   %   $ 6,741

Interest expense during the three months ended August 31, 2008 increased as a result of the higher outstanding debt balance as compared to the year ago period. Following the closing of the recapitalization transaction in October 2007, we increased our outstanding debt balance by $400.0 million.

 

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Interest Income

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008    % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Interest income

   $ 2,016    0.5 %   $ 7,918    2.2 %   $ (5,902 )

For the three months ended August 31, 2008, the overall decrease in interest income, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenues, is due to lower average cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and less favorable interest rates as compared to the same period last year.

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,      
     2008     % of Revenue         2007         % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
     (dollars in thousands)

Other income (expense), net

   $ (455 )   (0.1 )%   $ (301 )   (0.1 )%   $ 154

Other income (expense), net for the three months ended August 31, 2008 consisted of bank and other miscellaneous charges. Other income (expense), net for the three months ended August 31, 2007 consisted of bank and other miscellaneous charges partially offset by net gains of approximately $0.1 million recognized on sales of short-term investments.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,        
     2008     % of Revenue     2007    % of Revenue     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Income tax provision (benefit)

   $ (2,634 )   (0.7 )%   $ 3,803    1.1 %   $ (6,437 )

For the three months ended August 31, 2008, Palm’s income tax benefit was $2.6 million, which consisted of federal, state and foreign income taxes. The effective tax rate for the three months ended August 31, 2008 was 6% and resulted from the computation of an income tax benefit for the United States with pre-tax loss at the applicable tax rate offset by income tax expense for non-US jurisdictions with pre-tax income at the applicable tax rates. Due to an increase in the valuation allowance related to the benefit associated with the non-deductible impairment charges of our non-current ARS investments, there was no net effect on our effective tax rate related to this item.

Our estimate of the effective tax rate is based on the application of existing tax laws to current projections of our annual consolidated results, including projections of the mix of income (loss) earned among our entities and tax jurisdictions in which they operate.

For the three months ended August 31, 2007, Palm’s income tax expense was $3.8 million, which consisted of federal, state and foreign income taxes. The effective tax rate for the three months ended August 31, 2007 was 128.4%. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended August 31, 2007 resulted from the computation of an income tax expense for the US and other jurisdictions with pre-tax income at the applicable tax rates while, for certain jurisdictions with pre-tax losses, no tax benefit was available to offset the tax expense computed for profitable jurisdictions.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents as of August 31, 2008 were $167.3 million, compared to $176.9 million as of May 31, 2008, a decrease of $9.6 million. We experienced an approximately $3.6 million net decrease in cash flows from operations resulting from our net loss of $39.5 million, which was partially offset by non-cash charges of $28.0 million and changes in assets and liabilities of $7.9 million. Our cash decreased due to purchases of property and equipment of $2.4 million, debt repayments of $5.0 million and a $9.00 one-time per share cash distribution in connection with the recapitalization transaction in October 2007 of $0.1 million to holders of restricted stock awards that vested during the quarter. Fluctuations in exchange rates during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 for our foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease in cash flows of approximately $0.7 million for the period. These decreases were partially offset by net sales of short-term investments of $0.3 million, proceeds received from the sale of restricted investments totaling $0.4 million and $1.5 million from stock-related activity as a result of the exercise of stock options and other equity awards.

 

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We hold a variety of interest bearing auction rate securities that represent investments in pools of assets, including commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, credit linked notes and credit derivative products. At the time of acquisition, these ARS investments were intended to provide liquidity via an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined calendar intervals, allowing investors to either roll over their holdings or gain immediate liquidity by selling such interests at par. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, uncertainties in the credit markets affected all of our holdings in ARS investments and auctions for our investments in these securities failed to settle on their respective settlement dates. Auctions for our investments in these securities have continued to fail during the three months ended August 31, 2008. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid and we will not be able to access these funds until a future auction of these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside of the auction process. Maturity dates for these ARS investments range from 2017 to 2052. All of the ARS investments were investment grade quality and were in compliance with our investment policy at the time of acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, one of our ARS investments was converted into a debt instrument and no longer is subject to auctions but has retained comparable contractual interest rates and payment dates. This change had no effect on the underlying collateral structure of our investment in the original security, and we continue to classify this instrument in our non-current auction rate securities balance. We currently have the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of the auction process and/or for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. We currently classify all of these investments as non-current auction rate securities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet because of our continuing inability to determine when these investments will settle. We have also modified our current investment strategy and increased our investments in more liquid money market investments and United States Treasury securities.

Historically, the fair value of ARS investments approximated par value due to the frequent resets through the auction process. While we continue to earn interest on these investments at the maximum contractual rate, they are not currently trading and therefore do not currently have a readily determinable market value. As of August 31, 2008, the par value of our investment in ARS was approximately $74.7 million. The estimated fair value no longer approximates par value.

We have used a discounted cash flow model to determine the estimated fair value of our investment in ARS as of August 31, 2008. Using this approach, estimates for interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding periods of the ARS were used and the expected future cash flows were calculated over the expected life of each security and were discounted to a single present value using an estimated market required rate of return. For the three months ended August 31, 2008, using this assessment of fair value, we determined there was a further decline in the fair value of our ARS investments of approximately $7.5 million, of which $(0.1) million was deemed temporary and $7.6 million was recognized as a pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge. In addition, during the three months ended August 31, 2008, we determined that certain of our investments in ARS continued to experience a decline in fair value. As a result, we concluded that the impairment of these ARS investments was other-than-temporary and the associated unrealized losses of approximately $7.4 million were recognized during the three months ended August 31, 2008 as additional pre-tax impairment of non-current ARS, with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

We review our impairments in accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and related guidance issued by the FASB and SEC in order to determine the classification of the impairment as “temporary” or “other-than-temporary”. A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized loss being recorded in the other comprehensive loss component of stockholders’ equity. Such an unrealized loss does not affect net loss for the applicable accounting period. An other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded as a realized loss in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and is a component of the net loss for the applicable accounting period. The primary differentiating factors we considered to classify our impairments between temporary and other-than-temporary are the length of the time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and our intent and ability to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

The valuation of our investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact its valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, liquidity and ongoing strength and quality of credit markets.

If the current market conditions deteriorate further, or the anticipated recovery in market values does not occur, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in future quarters. We continue to monitor the market for ARS transactions and consider their impact (if any) on the fair value of our investments.

 

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Our short-term investments are intended to establish a high-quality portfolio that preserves principal, meets liquidity needs, avoids inappropriate concentrations and delivers an appropriate yield in relation to our investment guidelines and market conditions. We have decided to modify our current investment strategy by limiting our investments in ARS to our current holdings and increasing our investments in more liquid investments.

We anticipate our balances of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $248.3 million as of August 31, 2008 will satisfy our operational cash flow requirements for at least the next twelve months. Based on our current forecast, we do not anticipate any short-term or long-term cash deficiencies. If we fail to meet our operating forecast or market conditions negatively affect our cash flows, we may be required to seek additional funding. If we seek additional funding, adequate funds may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to adequately fund our business plans and it could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Net accounts receivable was $141.6 million as of August 31, 2008, an increase of $25.2 million, or 22%, from $116.4 million as of May 31, 2008. Days sales outstanding, or DSO, of receivables was 35 days at both August 31, 2008 and May 31, 2008, respectively. The DSO remained flat for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008. During the three months ended August 31, 2008, the cash conversion cycle increased 2 days to -4 days compared to -6 days as of May 31, 2008. The cash conversion cycle is the duration between the purchase of inventories and services and the collection of the cash for the sale of our products and is an annual metric on which we have focused as we continue to try to efficiently manage our assets.

In September 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $250.0 million of our common stock. The program allows repurchases of our shares at our discretion, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors.

The stock repurchase program is designed to return value to our stockholders and minimize dilution from stock issuance. The program will be funded using our existing cash balance and future cash flows. The share repurchases will occur through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and/or transactions structured through investment banking institutions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.

During the three months ended August 31, 2008 and the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we did not repurchase any shares of common stock through open market purchases. We currently do not have any plans to repurchase shares under this stock repurchase program during fiscal year 2009.

In October 2007, we entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., or the Credit Agreement, which governs a senior secured term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million, or the Term Loan, and a credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million, or the Revolver. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at our election at 1-, 2-, 3-, or 6- month LIBOR plus 3.50%, or the Alternative Base Rate (higher of Prime Rate and Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%) plus 2.50%. As of August 31, 2008, the interest rate for the Term Loan was based on 1-month LIBOR plus 3.50%, or 5.97%. The interest rate may vary based on the market rates described above. In addition, we are required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unutilized portion of the Revolver. The Credit Agreement is secured by all of the capital stock of certain Palm subsidiaries (limited, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the capital stock of such subsidiaries) and substantially all of our present and future assets. Additionally, the Credit Agreement contains certain restrictions on the ability of Palm and its subsidiaries to engage in certain transactions as well as requirements to make certain prepayments of the Term Loan. See Note 13 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for a full description of the restrictions and requirements under the Credit Agreement. As of August 31, 2008, $397.0 million and $0 were outstanding under the Term Loan and Revolver, respectively.

Certain Palm facilities are leased under operating leases. Leases expire at various dates through May 2012.

In December 2006, we entered into a minimum purchase commitment obligation with Microsoft Licensing, GP over a two-year contract period. Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to pay a minimum of $35.0 million through November 2008. In September 2007, the agreement was amended to include an additional minimum purchase commitment of $6.7 million. As of August 31, 2008, we had made payments totaling approximately $30.3 million. The remaining amount due under the agreement was approximately $11.4 million as of August 31, 2008.

In May 2005, we acquired PalmSource’s 55 percent share of the Palm Trademark Holding Company, or PTHC, and rights to the brand name Palm. The rights to the brand had been co-owned by the two companies through PTHC since the October 2003 spin-off of PalmSource from Palm. We agreed to pay $30.0 million in five installments due in May 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and November 2008, and granted PalmSource certain rights to Palm trademarks for PalmSource and its licensees for a four-year transition period. The net present value of these payments, $27.2 million, was recorded as an intangible asset

 

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and is being amortized over 20 years. The amortization of the discount reported in interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $53,000 and $0.1 million, respectively. The remaining amount due to PalmSource under this agreement was $3.8 million as of August 31, 2008.

During fiscal year 2008, we entered into an agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. to purchase system hardware to support our general infrastructure and one year of maintenance for a total of $3.7 million (net present value of $3.5 million). Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to make quarterly payments from September 2008 through December 2009. The amortization of the discount reported in interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 2008 was approximately $44,000. The remaining amount due under the agreement was $3.7 million as of August 31, 2008.

During fiscal year 2007, we entered into a license agreement with Oracle Corporation to purchase software and one year of maintenance for a total of $3.3 million (net present value of $2.9 million). Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to make quarterly payments over a three-year period ending July 2009. As of August 31, 2008, we had made payments totaling $2.2 million under the agreement. The amortization of the discount reported in interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $24,000 and $44,000, respectively. The remaining amount due under the agreement was $1.1 million as of August 31, 2008.

During February and October 2007, we acquired the assets of several businesses. Under the purchase agreements, we agreed to pay up to $8.1 million over four years in employee incentive compensation based upon continued employment with Palm that will be recognized as compensation expense over the service period of the applicable employees. As of August 31, 2008, we had made payments totaling approximately $2.9 million under the purchase agreements. The remaining amount due under these agreements was $5.2 million as of August 31, 2008.

In October 2007, we declared a $9.00 per share one-time cash distribution on all shares outstanding as of October 24, 2007, resulting in a total amount due to our stockholders of $949.7 million. At this time, approximately $948.6 million of this distribution was paid in cash to eligible stockholders and the remaining $1.1 million was recorded as a distribution liability for holders of unvested restricted stock awards that were not eligible to receive a cash payment until their shares had vested. This distribution liability will be paid in cash as the related shares of restricted stock vest, ending in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010. As of August 31, 2008, the remaining amount due to holders of unvested restricted stock is approximately $0.7 million, of which approximately $0.5 million of this amount is classified in other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and approximately $0.2 million is classified within other non-current liabilities.

As of August 31, 2008, we had $6.2 million of non-current tax liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet for unrecognized tax positions. The periods in which we will reach cash settlement with the respective tax authorities cannot be reasonably estimated.

We accrue for royalty obligations to certain technology and patent holders based on (1) unit shipments of our smartphones and handheld computers, (2) a percentage of applicable revenue for the net sales of products using certain software technologies or (3) a fully paid-up license fee, all as determined in accordance with the applicable license agreements. Where agreements are not finalized, accrued royalty obligations represent management’s current best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections based on negotiations with third party licensors. We have estimated royalty obligations of $40.4 million which are reported in other accrued liabilities. While the amounts ultimately agreed upon may be more or less than the current accrual, management does not believe that finalization of the agreements would have had a material impact on the amounts reported for our financial position as of August 31, 2008 or on the results reported for the three months then ended; however, the effect of finalization of these agreements in the future may be significant to the period in which recorded.

We utilize contract manufacturers to build our products. These contract manufacturers acquire components and build products based on demand forecast information supplied by us, which typically covers a rolling 12-month period. Consistent with industry practice, we acquire inventories from such manufacturers through blanket purchase orders against which orders are applied based on projected demand information. Such purchase commitments typically cover our forecasted product requirements for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days. In certain instances, these agreements allow us the option to cancel, reschedule and/or adjust our requirements based on our business needs. In some instances we also make commitments with component suppliers in order to secure availability of key components that may be in short supply. Consequently, only a portion of our purchase commitments arising from these agreements may be non-cancelable and unconditional commitments. As of August 31, 2008, our cancellable and non-cancellable commitments to third-party manufacturers and suppliers for their inventory on-hand and component commitments related to the manufacture of our products were approximately $159.0 million.

As of August 31, 2008, we had approximately $8.2 million in restricted investments, which are collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

 

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We use foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate transaction gains and losses generated by certain foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, the result of which partially offsets our market exposure to fluctuations in foreign currencies. Changes in the fair value of these foreign exchange forward contracts are largely offset by re-measurement of the underlying assets and liabilities. These foreign exchange forward contracts have maturities of 28 days or less. As of August 31, 2008, our outstanding notional contract value, which approximates fair value, was approximately $15.3 million which settled within 28 days. We do not enter into derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.

In October 2007, we sold an aggregate of 325,000 shares of our series B redeemable convertible preferred stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, for an aggregate purchase price of $325.0 million to Elevation Partners, L.P. For so long as Elevation Partners holds any outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, we are generally not permitted, without obtaining the consent of holders representing at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, to create or issue any equity securities that rank senior to or on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation. The Series B Preferred Stock reflects a discount of approximately $9.8 million related to issuance costs, resulting in net cash proceeds of $315.2 million. Of these net cash proceeds, $250.2 million was allocated to Series B Preferred Stock, with the remaining $65.0 million allocated to additional paid-in capital as a result of the beneficial conversion feature. The Series B Preferred Stock is classified as mezzanine equity due to redemption provisions which provide for mandatory redemption in seven years of any outstanding Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is being accreted to its liquidation value of $325.0 million using the effective yield method, with such accretion being charged against additional paid-in capital over seven years. The accretion of the Series B Preferred Stock will be included in our earnings per share calculation over seven years.

Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the respective expected dates of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial condition.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Investments

We currently maintain an investment portfolio consisting mainly of cash equivalents and short-term investments. These available-for-sale securities are subject to interest rate risk and will fall in value if market interest rates increase. The objectives of our investment activities are to maintain the safety of principal, assure sufficient liquidity and achieve appropriate returns. This is accomplished by investing in marketable investment grade securities and by limiting exposure to any one issuance or issuer, with the exception of United States government securities. We do not include derivative financial investments in our investment portfolio. Our cash and cash equivalents of approximately $167.3 million and $176.9 million as of August 31, 2008 and May 31, 2008, respectively, are primarily money market funds and an immediate and uniform increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points from levels at August 31, 2008 or May 31, 2008 would cause an immaterial decline in the fair value of our cash equivalents. As of August 31, 2008 and May 31, 2008, we had short-term investments of $81.0 million and $81.8 million, respectively. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities at the date of purchase of greater than three months. These available-for-sale investments include government and domestic corporate debt securities and are subject to interest rate risk and will decrease in value if market interest rates increase. An immediate and uniform increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points from levels as of August 31, 2008 would cause a decline of less than 2%, or approximately $1.0 million, in the fair market value of our short-term investment portfolio. A similar increase in market interest rates from levels as of May 31, 2008 would have resulted in a decline of less than 2%, or approximately $1.2 million, in the fair market value of our short-term investment portfolio as of May 31, 2008. We would expect our net loss or cash flows to be similarly affected, in absolute dollars, by such a change in market interest rates.

We hold a variety of interest bearing ARS that represent investments in pools of assets, including commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, credit default linked notes and credit derivative products. At the time of acquisition, these ARS investments were intended to provide liquidity via an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined calendar intervals, allowing investors to either roll over their holdings or gain immediate liquidity by selling such interests at par. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, uncertainties in the credit markets affected all of our holdings in ARS investments and auctions for our investments in these securities failed to settle on their respective settlement dates. Auctions for our investments in these securities have continued to fail during the three months ended August 31, 2008. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid and we will not be able to access these funds until a future auction of these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside of the auction process. Maturity dates for these ARS investments range from 2017 to 2052. We currently classify all of these investments as non-current auction rate securities on our condensed

 

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consolidated balance sheet because of our continuing inability to determine when these investments will settle. We have also modified our current investment strategy and increased our investments in more liquid money market investments and United States Treasury securities. As of August 31, 2008, we determined there was a total decline in the fair value of our ARS investments of approximately $52.2 million, of which approximately $5.1 million was deemed temporary and $47.1 million was recognized as a pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge. An immediate and uniform increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points from levels at August 31, 2008 would cause an additional decline of less than 2%, or approximately $0.4 million, in the fair market value of our investments in ARS. As of May 31, 2008, we determined there was a total decline in the fair value of our ARS investments of approximately $44.7 million, of which approximately $12.5 million was deemed temporary and $32.2 million was recognized as a pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge. An immediate and uniform increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points from levels at May 31, 2008 would have caused an additional decline of less than 1%, or less than $0.1 million, in the fair market value of our investments in ARS.

Debt Obligation

We have an outstanding variable rate Term Loan totaling $397.0 million as of August 31, 2008. We do not currently use derivatives to manage interest rate risk. As of August 31, 2008, our interest rate applicable to borrowings under the Credit Agreement was approximately 5.97%. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in this rate would have a resulting increase in interest expense of approximately $0.1 million each year for every $10.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We denominate our sales to certain international customers in the Euro, in Pounds Sterling, in Brazilian Real and in Swiss Francs. Expenses and other transactions are also incurred in a variety of currencies. We hedge certain balance sheet exposures and intercompany balances against future movements in foreign currency exchange rates by using foreign exchange forward contracts. Gains and losses on the contracts are intended to offset foreign exchange gains or losses from the revaluation of assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the reporting entity. The net gains and losses from the revaluation of foreign denominated assets and liabilities was a gain of $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and is included in operating loss in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our foreign exchange forward contracts have maturities of 28 days or less. Movements in currency exchange rates could cause variability in our revenues, expenses or interest and other income (expense). Our foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding on August 31, 2008 and May 31, 2008 had a notional contract value, which approximates fair value, in U.S. dollars of approximately $15.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively, which settled within 28 days. We do not utilize derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Equity Price Risk

As of August 31, 2008 we do not own any material equity investments. Therefore, we do not currently have any material direct equity price risk.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors 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 design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Palm have been detected. In addition, 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. Based on our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

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There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) identified in connection with management’s evaluation that occurred during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information set forth in Note 19 of the condensed consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information in this Form 10-Q. The business, results of operations or financial condition of Palm could be seriously harmed and the trading price of Palm common stock may decline due to any of these risks.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our operating results are subject to fluctuations, and if we fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors, our stock price may decrease significantly.

Our operating results are difficult to forecast. Our future operating results may fluctuate significantly and may not meet our expectations or those of securities analysts or investors. If this occurs, the price of our stock will likely decline. Many factors may cause fluctuations in our operating results including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

timely introduction and market acceptance of new products and services;

 

   

loss or failure of wireless carriers or other key sales channel partners;

 

   

quality issues with our products;

 

   

competition from other smartphones or other devices;

 

   

changes in consumer, business and wireless carrier preferences for our products and services;

 

   

failure to achieve product cost and operating expense targets;

 

   

changes in and competition for consumer and business spending levels;

 

   

failure by our third-party manufacturers or suppliers to meet our quantity and quality requirements for products or product components on time;

 

   

failure to add or replace third-party manufacturers or suppliers in a timely manner;

 

   

seasonality of demand for some of our products;

 

   

changes in terms, pricing or promotional programs;

 

   

variations in product costs or the mix of products sold;

 

   

excess inventory or insufficient inventory to meet demand;

 

   

growth, decline, volatility and changing market conditions in the markets we serve;

 

   

litigation brought against us; and

 

   

changes in general economic conditions and specific market conditions.

Any of the foregoing factors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we fail to develop and introduce new products and services successfully and in a cost-effective and timely manner, we will not be able to compete effectively and our ability to generate revenues will suffer.

We operate in a highly competitive, rapidly evolving environment, and our success depends on our ability to develop and introduce new products and services that our customers and end users choose to buy. If we are unsuccessful at developing and introducing new products and services that are appealing to our customers and end users with acceptable quality, prices and terms, we will not be able to compete effectively and our ability to generate revenues will suffer. The development of new products and services is very difficult and requires high levels of innovation. The development process is also lengthy

 

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and costly. If we fail to accurately anticipate technological trends or our end users’ needs or preferences or are unable to complete the development of products and services in a cost-effective and timely fashion, we will be unable to introduce new products and services into the market or successfully compete with other providers.

As we introduce new or enhanced products or integrate new technology into new or existing products, we face risks including, among other things, disruption in customers’ ordering patterns, excessive levels of older product inventories, delivering sufficient supplies of new products to meet customers’ demand, possible product and technology defects and a potentially different sales and support environment. Premature announcements or leaks of new products, features or technologies may exacerbate some of these risks. Our failure to manage the transition to newer products or the integration of newer technology into new or existing products could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our products may contain errors or defects, which could result in the rejection or return of our products, damage to our reputation, lost revenues, diverted development resources and increased service costs, warranty claims and litigation.

Our products are complex and must meet stringent user requirements. In addition, we warrant that our products will be free of defect for 90 to 365 days after the date of purchase, depending on the product. In Europe, we are required in some countries to provide a two-year warranty for certain defects. In addition, certain of our contracts with wireless carriers include epidemic failure clauses with low thresholds that we have in some instances exceeded. If invoked, these clauses may entitle the wireless carrier to return or obtain credits for products in inventory or to cancel outstanding purchase orders.

In addition, we must develop our hardware and software application products quickly to keep pace with the rapidly changing mobile-product market, and we have a history of frequently introducing new products. Products as sophisticated as ours are likely to contain undetected errors or defects, especially when first introduced or when new models or versions are released. Our products may not be free from errors or defects after commercial shipments have begun, which could result in the rejection of our products, damage claims, litigation and recalls and jeopardize our relationship with wireless carriers. End users may also reject or find issues with our products and have a right to return them even if the products are free from errors or defects. In either case, returns or quality issues could result in damage to our reputation, lost revenues, diverted development resources, increased customer service and support costs, additional contractual obligations to wireless carriers and warranty claims and litigation which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, we could experience price reductions, reduced demand for our products and services, reduced margins and loss of market share, and our business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.

The markets for our products are highly competitive, and we expect increased competition in the future, particularly as companies from established industry segments, such as mobile handset, personal computer and consumer electronics, enter these markets or increasingly expand and market their competitive product offerings or both.

Some of our competitors or potential competitors possess capabilities developed over years of serving customers in their respective markets that might enable them to compete more effectively than we compete in certain segments. In addition, many of our competitors have significantly greater engineering, technical, manufacturing, sales, marketing and financial resources and capabilities than we do. These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly than we can to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer requirements, including introducing a greater number and variety of products than we can. They may also be in a better position financially or otherwise to acquire and integrate companies and technologies that enhance their competitive positions and limit our competitiveness. In addition, they may devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we do. They may have lower costs and be better able to withstand lower prices in order to gain market share at our expense. They may also be more diversified than we are and better able to leverage their other businesses, products and services to be able to accept lower returns in the smartphone market and gain market share. Finally, these competitors may bring with them customer loyalties, which may limit our ability to compete despite superior product offerings.

Our devices compete with a variety of mobile devices. Our principal competitors include: mobile handset and smartphone manufacturers such as Apple, Asustek, High Tech Computer (or HTC), LG, Motorola, Nokia, Pantech, Research in Motion (or RIM), Samsung and Sony-Ericsson; and computing device companies such as Acer, Hewlett-Packard and Mio Technology. In addition, our products compete for a share of disposable income and business spending on consumer electronic, telecommunications and computing products such as MP3 players, iPods, media/photo viewers, digital cameras, personal media players, digital storage devices, handheld gaming devices, GPS devices and other such devices.

 

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Some of our competitors, such as Asustek and HTC, produce smartphones as wireless-carrier-branded devices in addition to their own branded devices. As technology advances, we also expect to compete with mobile phones without branded operating systems that synchronize with personal computers, as well as ultra-mobile personal computers and laptop computers with wide area network or data cards with VoIP, and WiFi phones with VoIP.

Some competitors sell or license server, desktop and/or laptop computing products, software and/or recurring services in addition to mobile products and may choose to market their mobile products at a discounted price or give them away for free with their other products or services, which could negatively affect our ability to compete.

A number of our competitors have longer and closer relationships with the senior management of business customers who decide which products and technologies will be deployed in their business. Many competitors have larger and more established sales forces calling on wireless carriers and business customers and therefore could contact a greater number of potential customers with more frequency. Consequently, these competitors could have a better competitive position than we do, which could result in wireless carriers and business customers deciding not to choose our products and services, which would adversely impact our revenues.

Successful new product introductions or enhancements by our competitors could cause intense price competition or make our products obsolete. To remain competitive, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development, sales and marketing and customer support. We cannot be sure that we will have sufficient resources to make these investments or that we will be able to make the technological advances necessary to be competitive. Increased competition could result in price reductions, reduced demand for our products and services, increased expenses, reduced margins and loss of market share. Failure to compete successfully against current or future competitors could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are highly dependent on wireless carriers for the success of our smartphone products.

The success of our business strategy and our smartphone products is highly dependent on our ability to establish new relationships and build on our existing relationships with domestic and international wireless carriers. Wireless carriers control which products to certify on their networks, offer to their customers and promote through price subsidies and marketing campaigns. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in establishing new relationships, or maintaining or advancing existing relationships, with wireless carriers or that these wireless carriers will act in a manner that will promote the success of our smartphone products. Additional factors that are largely within the control of wireless carriers, but which are important to the success of our smartphone products, include:

 

   

testing of our smartphone products on wireless carriers’ networks;

 

   

quality and coverage area of wireless voice and data services offered by the wireless carriers;

 

   

the degree to which wireless carriers facilitate the introduction of and actively market, advertise, promote, distribute and resell our smartphone products;

 

   

the extent to which wireless carriers require specific hardware and software features on our smartphone products to be used on their networks;

 

   

timely build-out of advanced wireless carrier networks that enhance the user experience for data-centric services through higher speed and “always on” functionality;

 

   

contractual terms and conditions imposed on us by wireless carriers that, in some circumstances, could limit our ability to make similar products available through competitive wireless carriers in some market segments;

 

   

wireless carriers’ pricing requirements and subsidy programs; and

 

   

pricing and other terms and conditions of voice and data rate plans that the wireless carriers offer for use with our smartphone products.

For example, flat data rate pricing plans offered by some wireless carriers may represent some risk to our relationship with such wireless carriers. While flat data pricing helps customer adoption of the data services offered by wireless carriers and therefore highlights the advantages of the data applications of our smartphone products, such plans may not allow our smartphones to contribute as much average revenue per user to wireless carriers as when they are priced by usage, and therefore reduces our differentiation from other, non-data devices in the view of the wireless carriers. In addition, if wireless carriers charge higher rates than consumers are willing to pay, the acceptance of our wireless solutions could be less than anticipated and our revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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Wireless carriers have substantial bargaining power as we enter into agreements with them. They may require contract terms that are difficult for us to satisfy and could result in higher costs to complete certification requirements and negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, we do not have agreements with some of the wireless carriers with whom we do business internationally and, in some cases, the agreements may be with third-party distributors and may not pass through rights to us or provide us with recourse or contact with the wireless carrier. The absence of agreements means that, with little or no notice, these wireless carriers could refuse to continue to purchase all or some of our products or change the terms under which they purchase our products. If these wireless carriers were to stop purchasing our products, we may be unable to replace the lost sales channel on a timely basis and our results of operations could be harmed.

Wireless carriers also significantly affect our ability to develop and launch products for use on their wireless networks. If we fail to address the needs of wireless carriers, identify new product and service opportunities or modify or improve our smartphone products in response to changes in technology, industry standards or wireless carrier requirements, our products could rapidly become less competitive or obsolete. If we fail to timely develop smartphone products that meet wireless carrier product planning cycles or fail to deliver sufficient quantities of products in a timely manner to wireless carriers, those wireless carriers may choose to emphasize similar products from our competitors and thereby reduce their focus on our products which would have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Wireless carriers, who control most of the distribution and sale of and virtually all of the access for smartphone products, could commoditize smartphones, thereby reducing the average selling prices and margins for our smartphone products which would have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if wireless carriers move away from subsidizing the purchase of smartphone products, this could significantly reduce the sales or growth rate of sales of smartphone products. This could have an adverse impact on our business, revenues and results of operations.

We could be exposed to significant fluctuations in revenue for our smartphone products based on our strategic relationships with wireless carriers.

Because of their large sales channels, wireless carriers may purchase large quantities of our products prior to launch so that the products are widely available. Reorders of products may fluctuate quarter to quarter, depending on end-user demand and inventory levels required by the wireless carriers. As we develop new strategic relationships and launch new products with wireless carriers, our smartphone products-related revenue could be subject to significant fluctuation based on the timing of wireless carrier product launches, wireless carrier inventory requirements, marketing efforts and our ability to forecast and satisfy wireless carrier and end-user demand.

We are dependent on a concentrated number of significant customers and the loss or credit failure of any of those customers could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our three largest customers in terms of revenue represented 65% of our revenues during fiscal year 2008 compared to 56% during fiscal year 2007 and 55% during fiscal year 2006. We determine our largest customers in terms of revenue to be those who represent 10% or more of our total revenues for the year. We expect this trend of revenue concentration with our largest customers, particularly with wireless carriers, to continue. If any significant customer discontinues its relationship with us for any reason, or reduces or postpones current or expected purchases from us, it could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, our largest customers in terms of outstanding customer accounts receivable balances accounted for 61% of our accounts receivable at the end of fiscal year 2008 compared to 63% at the end of fiscal year 2007 and 66% at the end of fiscal year 2006. We determine our largest customers in terms of outstanding customer accounts to be those who have outstanding customer accounts receivable balances at the period end of 10% or more of our total net accounts receivables. We expect this trend of significant credit concentration with our largest customers, particularly with wireless carriers, to continue, concentrating our bad debt risks and the costs of mitigating those risks. We routinely monitor the financial condition of our customers and review the credit history of each new customer.

While we believe that our allowances for doubtful accounts adequately reflect the credit risk of our customers, as well as historical trends and other economic factors, we cannot assure you that such allowances will be accurate or sufficient. If any of our significant customers defaults on its account, or if we experience significant credit expense for any reason, it could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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If our products do not meet wireless carrier and governmental or regulatory certification or other requirements, we will not be able to compete effectively and our ability to generate revenues will suffer.

We are required to certify our products with governmental and regulatory agencies and with the wireless carriers for use on their networks and to meet other requirements. These processes can be time consuming, could delay the offering of our smartphone products on wireless carrier networks and could affect our ability to timely deliver products to customers. As a result, wireless carriers may choose to offer or consumers may choose to buy similar products from our competitors and thereby reduce their purchases of our products, which would have a negative impact on our smartphone products sales volumes, our revenues and our cost of revenues.

If we do not correctly forecast demand for our products, we could have costly excess production or inventories or we may not be able to secure sufficient or cost-effective quantities of our products or production materials and our revenues, gross profit and financial condition could be adversely impacted.

The demand for our products depends on many factors, including pricing and channel inventory levels, and is difficult to forecast due in part to variations in economic conditions, changes in consumer and business preferences, relatively short product life cycles, changes in competition, seasonality and reliance on key sales channel partners. It is particularly difficult to forecast demand by individual product. Significant unanticipated fluctuations in demand, the timing and disclosure of new product releases or the timing of key sales orders could result in costly excess production or inventories or the inability to secure sufficient, cost-effective quantities of our products or production materials. This could adversely impact our revenues, gross profit and financial condition.

We depend on our suppliers, some of which are the sole source and some of which are our competitors, for certain components, software applications and elements of our technology, and our production or reputation could be harmed if these suppliers were unable or unwilling to meet our demand or technical requirements on a timely and/or a cost-effective basis.

Our products contain software and hardware, including liquid crystal displays, touch panels, memory chips, microprocessors, cameras, radios and batteries, which are procured from a variety of suppliers, including some who are our competitors. The cost, quality and availability of software and hardware are essential to the timely and successful development, production and sale of our device products. For example, components such as radio technologies and software such as email applications are critical to the functionality of our smartphones. Some components, such as liquid crystal displays and related integrated circuits, digital signal processors, microprocessors, radio frequency components and other discrete components, come from sole source suppliers. Alternative sources are not always available or may be prohibitively expensive. In addition, even when we have multiple qualified suppliers, we may compete with other purchasers for allocation of scarce components. Some components come from companies with whom we compete. If suppliers are unable or unwilling to meet our demand for components and if we are unable to obtain alternative sources or if the price for alternative sources is prohibitive, our ability to maintain timely and cost-effective production of our products will be harmed. Shortages may affect the timing and volume of production for some of our products as well as increase our costs due to premium prices paid for those components and longer-term commitments to ensure availability of those components. Some of our suppliers may be capacity-constrained due to high industry demand for some components and relatively long lead times to expand capacity.

Our product strategy is substantially dependent on the operating systems that we include in our devices and those operating systems face significant competition and may not be preferred by our wireless carrier partners or end users.

We provide a choice of operating systems for our smartphones to provide a differentiated experience for our users. Our smartphones currently feature either the Palm OS or Windows Mobile OS. In addition, we are developing a new OS that we expect to use in some of our future smartphones.

Our licenses to the Palm OS and Windows Mobile OS are subject to the terms of the agreements we have with ACCESS Systems Americas and Microsoft, respectively. Our business could be harmed if we were to breach the license agreements and cause our licensors to terminate our licenses. Furthermore, although ACCESS Systems and Microsoft offer some level of indemnification for damages arising from lawsuits involving their respective operating systems and from damages relating to intellectual property infringement caused by such operating systems, we could still be adversely affected by a determination adverse to our licensors, product changes that may be advisable or required due to such lawsuits or the failure of our licensors to indemnify us adequately.

There is significant competition from makers of smartphones that differentiate their products in part through alternative OS software. A number of competitors offer alternative Windows Mobile OS products. Google is heading a group that has introduced the Android OS for which our competitors are developing products. The LiMo Foundation is another consortium that is developing a Linux-based mobile operating system. Other competitors have or are developing proprietary operating systems, including Apple’s OS X, Nokia’s Symbian OS, RIM’s OS and various Linux-based operating systems. These and other competitors could devote greater resources to the development and promotion of alternative operating systems and to the support of the third-party developer community, which could attract the attention of influential user segments and our existing and potential customers and end users. Moreover, some of our largest customers, including Verizon Wireless (a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group) and AT&T, have joined the consortiums developing or indicated their support for rival operating systems, including the LiMo Foundation and Android, respectively. Wireless carriers may

 

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demonstrate a preference for rival operating systems, thereby giving preference to our competitor’s products and making acceptance of our products more difficult among our key wireless carrier partners. In addition, this could require us to raise the performance and differentiation standards for the operating systems that we offer in order to remain competitive.

We cannot assure you that the operating systems we develop or license or our efforts to innovate using those operating systems will continue to draw the customer interest necessary to provide us with a level of competitive differentiation. If the use of the Palm OS, the Windows Mobile OS or proprietary operating systems incorporating open technologies in our current or future products does not continue to be competitive, our revenues and our results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our business is substantially dependent on our ability to develop our new operating system.

We are currently developing a new OS and related next-generation systems software for use in some of our future smartphones. We have announced that we expect this new OS and software to be completed in time to ship products based on this platform in the first half of calendar year 2009. If we are unable to develop the OS or related software on this timeline, or if the new OS and software is not accepted by our wireless carrier customers or end users, the robustness, competitiveness and technological viability of our smartphone product lines and our product roadmap would be adversely impacted. As a result, our reputation, ability to compete, revenues, results of operations and financial condition would also be adversely impacted. In addition, if the third-party developer community does not embrace the new OS and produce applications that will run on our smartphones, it may adversely affect acceptance of our devices by our wireless carrier customers and end users and adversely affect our ability to compete, our revenues and our results of operations.

If we are unable to obtain key technologies from third parties on a timely basis and free from errors or defects, we may have to delay or cancel the release of certain products or features in our products or incur increased costs.

We license third-party software for use in our products, including the Palm OS and Windows Mobile OS. Our ability to release and sell our products, as well as our reputation, could be harmed if the third-party technologies are not delivered to us in a timely manner, on acceptable business terms or contain errors or defects that are not discovered and fixed prior to release of our products and we are unable to obtain alternative technologies on a timely and cost effective basis to use in our products. As a result, our product shipments could be delayed, our offering of features could be reduced or we may need to divert our development resources from other business objectives, any of which could adversely affect our reputation, business and results of operations.

The order issued by the International Trade Commission, or ITC, banning import of future models of 3G mobile broadband handsets containing chips, chipsets and software of Qualcomm Incorporated or other litigation between Qualcomm and Broadcom Corporation could hinder our ability to provide certain models of our smartphone products to our customers and to compete effectively, and could adversely affect our customer relationships, revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

The ITC has issued an order banning the import of certain models of mobile broadband handsets containing Qualcomm chips, chipsets and software after ruling that Qualcomm’s cellular chips, chipsets and software infringe on a Broadcom patent relating to power-saving technology. In addition, the ITC also issued a cease-and-desist order that prevents Qualcomm from engaging in certain activities within the United States related to the infringing chips. The banned chips, chipsets and software are used in handheld wireless communications devices that are capable of operating on cellular telephone networks, such as EvDO and wCDMA networks operated by wireless carriers such as AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. An exception to the ban allows the import of handheld wireless communications devices that are of the same model as handheld wireless communications devices that were being imported for sale to the general public on or before June 7, 2007.

Palm filed an appeal of the ruling by the ITC with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or CAFC. Palm requested the CAFC overturn the ITC Order as it relates to Palm products because Palm was not a party to the underlying ITC action and asked the CAFC to stay implementation of the Order. The CAFC granted Palm’s stay request until completion of the appeal.

Should Palm lose the appeal or were the stay lifted, our ability to import and sell certain models of our smartphone products containing the affected Qualcomm chips, chipsets, and software could be affected by several factors, including the scope of the exclusion on the import ban (for example, whether a particular model of a smartphone previously sold by us to a carrier before June 7, 2007 will be treated as a “new” model when it is launched with a different carrier after June 7, 2007) and the effectiveness of the workaround that Qualcomm has announced to avoid infringement of the Broadcom patent (for example, the workaround may require additional testing, certification and approval before it can be used for our smartphone products sold to carriers). In addition, the effectiveness of any workaround or other means of meeting the requirements of the import ban may be limited by Qualcomm’s ability to provide services and support in implementing the workaround or otherwise addressing the impact of the import ban.

 

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The workaround and other means of addressing the import ban can be time consuming, can delay the offering of our smartphone products on carrier networks and also affect our ability to deliver products to customers in a timely manner. As a result, carriers may choose to offer, or consumers may choose to buy, unaffected products from our competitors and thereby reduce their purchases of our products, causing a negative impact on our smartphone products sales volumes, our revenues and our cost of revenues.

Qualcomm and Broadcom also continue to be engaged in litigation in at least two U.S. District Courts regarding Qualcomm’s chipsets and software used in wireless handsets and related support services. In one action, Qualcomm was immediately enjoined from providing certain chipsets to customers and ordered not to provide other chipsets and/or related support services after January 31, 2009. Upon Qualcomm’s appeal the Federal Circuit Court of Appeal issued a ruling that, in relevant part, affirmed the injunction with respect to certain Qualcomm chipsets, including, but not limited to, those we currently use in our Centro CDMA EvDO smartphones. On September 23, 2008 the District Court clarified the injunction ruling, finding that products containing the infringing chipsets must be imported into the United States before January 31, 2009. Accordingly, Palm may be required to import any affected CDMA EvDO Centro products by that date, except for those intended for Verizon, a Broadcom licensee. For Palm products affected by the injunction ruling other than our Centro CDMA EvDO smartphones, Qualcomm has provided alternative chipsets containing workarounds to avoid infringement of Broadcom’s patents but there is no assurance that, if challenged, the chipsets containing the workarounds will be found to be noninfringing.

An adverse outcome in any of these cases without an effective workaround could require modifications to our existing and/or future smartphone roadmap, thereby delaying product introductions and adversely affect our customer relationships, revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

We rely on third parties, some of which are our competitors, to design, manufacture, distribute, warehouse and support our products, and our reputation, revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected if these third parties fail to meet their performance obligations.

We outsource most of our hardware design and certain software development to third-party manufacturers, some of whom compete with us. We depend on their design expertise, and we rely on them to design our products at satisfactory quality levels. If our third-party manufacturers fail to provide quality hardware design or software development, our reputation and revenues could suffer. These third-party designers and manufacturers have access to our intellectual property which increases the risk of infringement or misappropriation of such intellectual property. In addition, these third parties may claim ownership rights in certain of the intellectual property developed for our products, which may limit our ability to have these products manufactured by others.

We outsource all of our manufacturing requirements to third-party manufacturers at their international facilities, which are located primarily in China, Taiwan and Brazil. In general our products are manufactured by sole source providers. We depend on these third parties to produce a sufficient volume of our products in a timely fashion and at satisfactory quality levels. In addition, we rely on our third-party manufacturers to place orders with suppliers for the components they need to manufacture our products and to track appropriately the shipment and inventory of those components with our orders. If they fail to place timely and sufficient orders with suppliers and appropriately maintain component inventories, our revenues and cost of revenues could suffer. Our reliance on third-party manufacturers in foreign countries exposes us to risks that are not in our control, including outbreaks of disease (such as an outbreak of bird flu), economic slowdowns, labor disruptions, trade restrictions, political conflicts and other events that could result in quarantines, shutdowns or closures of our third-party manufacturers or their suppliers. The cost, quality and availability of third-party manufacturing operations are essential to the successful production and sale of our products. If our third-party manufacturers fail to produce quality products on time and in sufficient quantities, our reputation, business and results of operations could suffer.

These manufacturers could refuse to continue to manufacture all or some of the units of our devices that we require or change the terms under which they manufacture our devices. If these manufacturers were to stop manufacturing our devices, we may be unable to replace the lost manufacturing capacity on a timely basis and our results of operations could be harmed. If these manufacturers were to change the terms under which they manufacture for us, our manufacturing costs and cost of revenues could increase. While we may have contractual remedies under manufacturing agreements, our business and reputation could be harmed. In addition, our contractual relationships are principally with the manufacturers of our products, and not with component suppliers. In the absence of a contract with the manufacturer that requires it to obtain and pass through warranty and indemnity rights with respect to component suppliers, we may not have recourse to any third party in the event of a component failure.

We may choose from time to time to transition to or add new third-party manufacturers. If we transition the manufacturing of any product to a new manufacturer, there is a risk of disruption in manufacturing and our revenues and results of operations could be adversely impacted. The learning curve and implementation associated with adding a new third-party manufacturer may adversely impact our revenues and results of operations.

We rely on third-party distribution and warehouse services providers to warehouse and distribute our products. Our contract warehouse facilities are physically separated from our contract manufacturing locations. This requires additional lead-time to deliver products to customers. If we are shipping products near the end of a fiscal quarter, this extra time could result in us not meeting anticipated shipment volumes for that quarter, which may negatively impact our revenues for that fiscal quarter. Any disruption of distribution facility services could have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.

 

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As a result of economic conditions or other factors, our distribution and warehouse services providers may close or move their facilities with little notice to us, which could cause disruption in our ability to deliver products. With little or no notice, these distribution and warehouse services providers could refuse to continue to provide distribution and warehouse services for all or some of our devices, fail to provide the quality of services and security that we require or change the terms under which they provide such services. Any disruption of distribution and warehouse services could have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.

Changes in transportation schedules or the timing of deliveries due to shipping problems, wireless carrier financial difficulties, inaccurate forecasts of demand, acts of nature or other business interruptions could cause transportation delays and increase our costs for both receipt of inventory and shipment of products to our customers. If these types of disruptions occur, our reputation and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

We outsource most of the warranty support, product repair and technical support for our products to third-party providers, which are located around the world. We depend on their expertise, and we rely on them to provide satisfactory levels of service. If our third-party providers fail to provide consistent quality service in a timely manner and sustain customer satisfaction, our reputation and results of operations could suffer.

As a result of the Credit Agreement we entered into, we have a significant amount of debt. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service or repay all of our indebtedness, including the Term Loan, and we may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful. Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In October 2007, we entered into a Credit Agreement to obtain a Term Loan and a Revolver. As a result of this Credit Agreement, we have significant indebtedness and substantial debt service requirements. Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under our indebtedness depends on our ability to generate significant cash flows in the future. Our ability to generate cash is subject to our future operating performance and the demand for, and price levels of, our current and future products and services. However, our ability to generate cash is also subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. There is no assurance that our business will generate cash flows from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our existing or any new credit facilities or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our payment obligations under our indebtedness and to fund other liquidity needs, including operations. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service or repayment obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital, restructure or refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the Term Loan, or incur additional debt. There is no assurance that we would be able to take any of these actions on commercially reasonable terms or at all. There is also no assurance that these actions would be successful and permit us to meet our scheduled debt service or repayment obligations or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements. In the absence of such cash flow and capital resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to realize and obtain proceeds from them adequate to meet our debt service and other obligations. The Credit Agreement governing the Term Loan and Revolver restricts our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from the disposition.

If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, or if we otherwise breach the Credit Agreement or related agreements, we will be in default and, as a result:

 

   

our debt holders could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable;

 

   

our debt holders could exercise their rights and remedies against the collateral securing their debt;

 

   

we may trigger cross-acceleration and cross-default provisions under other agreements; and

 

   

we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

Although covenants contained in the Credit Agreement governing the Term Loan and the Revolver will limit our ability and the ability of certain of our present and future subsidiaries to incur certain additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. In addition, the Credit Agreement will not prevent certain of our subsidiaries from incurring indebtedness. To the extent that we or our subsidiaries incur additional indebtedness, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

 

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Our indebtedness may limit our ability to adjust to changing market conditions, place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Restrictive covenants may adversely affect our operations.

The Credit Agreement governing the Term Loan and the Revolver contains covenants that may adversely affect our ability to, among other things, finance future operations or capital needs or engage in other business activities. Further, the Credit Agreement contains negative covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries, among other things, to incur debt, grant liens, make acquisitions, make certain restricted payments, make investments, sell assets and enter into sale and lease back transactions. Any additional debt we may incur in the future may subject us to further covenants. As a result of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business and we may be unable to finance future operations or capital needs or engage in other business activities.

Even if we are able to comply with all of the applicable covenants, the restrictions on our ability to manage our business in our sole discretion could adversely affect our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of financings, mergers, acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that we believe would be beneficial to us. Even if we were able to obtain new financing, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms, or terms that are acceptable to us.

Our ability to comply with covenants contained in the Credit Agreement governing the Term Loan and Revolver and any agreements governing other indebtedness may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. Our failure to comply with the covenants contained in any of the debt agreements described above, for any reason, could result in a default under such debt agreements. In addition, if any such default is not cured or waived, the default could result in an acceleration of debt under the Credit Agreement and our other debt instruments that contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions, which could require us to repay or repurchase debt, together with accrued interest, prior to the date it otherwise is due and that could adversely affect our financial condition. Upon a default or cross-default, the collateral agent, at the direction of the lenders under the Credit Agreement could proceed against the collateral, which includes substantially all of our assets.

Variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.

Under our Credit Agreement, our Term Loan and Revolver bear interest at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the principal amount of such indebtedness remained the same, and our operating results would decrease. Interest on the Term Loan is based on LIBOR or the Alternate Base Rate (higher of Prime Rate or Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%). An increase in the interest rate payable on the Term Loan could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and our ability to make payments on the Term Loan, particularly if the increase is substantial.

Third parties have claimed, and may claim in the future, that we are infringing their intellectual property, and we could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling products regardless of whether these claims are successful.

In the course of our business, we frequently receive offers to license or claims of infringement of patents held by other parties. For example, as our focus has shifted to smartphone products, we have received, and expect to continue to receive communications from holders of patents related to mobile communication standards. We evaluate the validity and applicability of these patents and determine in each case whether we must negotiate licenses to incorporate or use implicated technologies in our products. Third parties may claim that our customers or we are infringing or contributing to the infringement of their intellectual property rights, and we may be found to infringe or contribute to the infringement of those intellectual property rights and may be required to pay significant damages and obligated either to refrain from the further sale of our products or to license the right to sell our products on an ongoing basis. We may be unaware of intellectual property rights of others that may cover some of our technology, products and services. We may not have direct contractual relationships with some of the component, software and applications providers for our products, and as a result, we may not have indemnification, warranties or other protection with respect to such components, software or applications. Furthermore, intellectual property claims against us or our suppliers may cause us or our customers to delay the introduction of or to stop using our devices or applications for our devices and, as a result, our revenue, business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Any litigation regarding patents or other intellectual property could be costly and time consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. The complexity of the technology involved and the uncertainty of litigation generally increase the risks associated with intellectual property litigation. Moreover, patent litigation has increased due to the increased numbers of cases asserted by intellectual property licensing entities as well as

 

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increasing competition and overlap of product functionality in our markets. Intellectual property licensing entities generally do not generate products or services. As a result, we cannot deter their infringement claims based on counterclaims that they infringe patents in our portfolio or by entering cross-licensing arrangements. Claims of intellectual property infringement may also require us to enter into costly royalty or license agreements or to indemnify our customers, licensees, original design manufacturers, or ODMs, and other third parties with whom we have relationships. However, we may not be able to obtain royalty or license agreements on terms acceptable to us or at all. We also may be subject to significant damages or injunctions against the development and sale of our products. These risks associated with patent litigation are exacerbated by the lack of a clear and consistent legal standard for assessing damages in such litigation.

We are subject to general commercial litigation and other litigation claims as part of our operations, and we could suffer significant litigation expenses in defending these claims and could be subject to significant damage awards or other remedies.

In the course of our business, we receive consumer protection claims, general commercial claims related to the conduct of our business and the performance of our products and services, employment claims and other litigation claims. Any litigation resulting from these claims could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. The complexity of the technology involved and the uncertainty of consumer, commercial, employment and other litigation increase these risks. We also may be subject to significant damages or equitable remedies regarding the development and sale of our products and operation of our business.

Our success largely depends on our ability to hire, retain, integrate and motivate sufficient numbers of qualified personnel, including senior management. Our strategy and our ability to innovate, design and produce new products, sell products, maintain operating margins and control expenses depend on key personnel that may be difficult to replace.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel, including senior management and international personnel. From time to time, we experience turnover in some of our senior management positions. We compensate our employees through a combination of salary, bonuses, benefits and equity compensation. Recruiting and retaining skilled personnel, including software and hardware engineers, is highly competitive, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area where we are headquartered. If we fail to provide competitive compensation to our employees, it will be difficult to retain, hire and integrate qualified employees and contractors and we may not be able to maintain and expand our business. If we do not retain our senior managers or other key employees for any reason, we risk losing institutional knowledge and experience, expertise and other benefits of continuity and the ability to attract and retain other key employees. In addition, we must carefully balance the growth of our employee base with our current infrastructure, management resources and anticipated revenue growth. If we are unable to manage the growth of our employee base, particularly software and hardware engineers, we may fail to develop and introduce new products successfully and in a cost effective and timely manner. If our revenue growth or employee levels vary significantly, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price may also affect our ability to retain key employees, many of whom have been granted stock options, other equity incentives or both. Palm’s practice has been to provide equity incentives to its employees through the use of stock options and other equity vehicles, but the number of shares available for new options and other forms of securities grants is limited. We may find it difficult to provide competitive stock option grants or other equity incentives and our ability to hire, retain and motivate key personnel may suffer.

Recently and in past years, we have initiated reductions in our workforce of both employees and contractors to align our employee base with our anticipated revenue base or areas of focus and we have seen some turnover in our workforce. These reductions have resulted in reallocations of duties, which could result in employee and contractor uncertainty. Reductions in our workforce could make it difficult to attract, motivate and retain employees and contractors, which could affect our ability to deliver our products in a timely fashion and adversely affect our business.

We rely on third parties to sell and distribute our products, and we rely on their information to manage our business. Disruption of our relationship with these channel partners, changes in their business practices, their failure to provide timely and accurate information or conflicts among our channels of distribution could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The wireless carriers, distributors, retailers and resellers who sell and distribute our products also sell products offered by our competitors. If our competitors offer our sales channel partners more favorable terms or have more products available to meet their needs or utilize the leverage of broader product lines sold through the channel, those wireless carriers, distributors, retailers and resellers may de-emphasize or decline to carry our products. In addition, certain of our sales channel partners could decide to de-emphasize the product categories that we offer in exchange for other product categories that they believe provide higher returns. If we are unable to maintain successful relationships with these sales channel partners or to expand our distribution channels, our business will suffer.

 

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Because we sell our products primarily to wireless carriers, distributors, retailers and resellers, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to product returns, either through the exercise of contractual return rights or as a result of our strategic interest in assisting them in balancing inventories. In addition, these sales channel partners could modify their business practices, such as inventory levels, or seek to modify their contractual terms, such as return rights or payment terms. Unexpected changes in product return requests, inventory levels, payment terms or other practices by these sales channel partners could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We rely on wireless carriers, distributors, retailers and resellers to provide us with timely and accurate information about their inventory levels as well as sell-through of products purchased from us. We use this information as one of the factors in our forecasting process to plan future production and sales levels, which in turn influences our financial forecasts. We also use this information as a factor in determining the levels of some of our financial reserves. If we do not receive this information on a timely and accurate basis, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

Distributors, retailers and traditional resellers experience competition from Internet-based resellers that distribute directly to end users, and there is also competition among Internet-based resellers. We also sell our products to end users from our Palm.com website. These varied sales channels could cause conflict among our channels of distribution, which could harm our business, revenues and results of operations.

We rely on third parties to manage and operate our e-commerce web store and related telesales call center and disruption to these sales channels could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

We outsource the operations of our e-commerce web store and related telesales call centers to third parties. We depend on their expertise and rely on them to provide satisfactory levels of service. If these third-party providers fail to provide consistent quality service in a timely manner and sustain customer satisfaction, our operations and revenues could suffer. If these third-parties were to stop providing these services, we may be unable to replace them on a timely basis and our results of operations could be harmed. In addition, if these third parties were to change the terms and conditions under which they provide these services, our selling costs could increase.

We use third parties to provide significant operational and administrative services, and our ability to satisfy our customers and operate our business could suffer if the level of services is interrupted or does not meet our requirements.

We use third parties, some of which are our competitors, to provide services such as data center operations, desktop computer support, facilities services and certain accounting services. Should any of these third parties fail to deliver an adequate level of service on a timely basis, our business could suffer. Some of our operations rely on electronic data systems interfaces with third parties or on the Internet to communicate information. Interruptions in the availability and functionality of systems interfaces or the Internet could adversely impact the operations of these systems and consequently our results of operations.

The market for our products is volatile, and changing market conditions, or failure to adjust to changing market conditions, may adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and financial condition, particularly given our size, limited resources and lack of diversification.

Over the last few years, we have seen year-over-year declines in the volume of handheld computers while demand for smartphones has generally increased. We expect that the rate of declines in the volume of handheld computer units will continue. We cannot assure you that the smartphone market will continue to grow as forecasted. If we are unable to adequately respond to changes in demand for our products, our revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, as our products and product categories mature and face greater competition, we may experience pressure on our product pricing to preserve demand for our products, which would adversely affect our margins, results of operations and financial condition.

This reliance on the success of and trends in our industry is compounded by the size of our organization and our focus on smartphones and related products. These factors also make us more dependent on investments of our limited resources. For example, we face many resource allocation decisions, such as: where to focus our research and development, geographic sales and marketing and partnering efforts; which aspects of our business to outsource; which operating systems and email solutions to support; and how to balance among our products. We have shifted the focus of our engineering resources towards the smartphone opportunity. Given the size and undiversified nature of our organization, any error in investment strategy could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Our products are subject to increasingly stringent laws, standards and other regulatory requirements, and the costs of compliance or failure to comply may adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our products must comply with a variety of laws, standards and other requirements governing, among other things, safety, materials usage, packaging and environmental impacts and must obtain regulatory approvals and satisfy other regulatory concerns in the various jurisdictions where our products are sold. Many of our products must meet standards governing, among other things, interference with other electronic equipment and human exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Failure to comply with such requirements can subject us to liability, additional costs and reputational harm and in severe cases prevent us from selling our products in certain jurisdictions. For example, many of our products are subject to laws and regulations that restrict the use of lead and other substances and require producers of electrical and electronic equipment to assume responsibility for collecting, treating, recycling and disposing of our products when they have reached the end of their useful life. Failure to comply with applicable environmental requirements can result in fines, civil or criminal sanctions and third-party claims. If products we sell in Europe are found to contain more than the permitted percentage of lead or another listed substance, it is possible that we could be forced to recall the products, which could result in substantial replacement costs, contract damage claims from customers, and reputational harm. We are now and expect in the future to become subject to additional requirements in the United States, China and other parts of the world.

As a result of these varying and developing requirements throughout the world, we are now facing increasingly complex procurement and design challenges, which, among other things, require us to incur additional costs identifying suppliers and contract manufacturers who can provide, and otherwise obtain, compliant materials, parts and end products and re-designing products so that they comply with these and the many other requirements applicable to them.

Allegations of health risks associated with electromagnetic fields and wireless communications devices, and the lawsuits and publicity relating to them, regardless of merit, could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

There has been public speculation about possible health risks to individuals from exposure to electromagnetic fields, or radio signals, from base stations and from the use of mobile devices. While a substantial amount of scientific research by various independent research bodies has indicated that these radio signals, at levels within the limits prescribed by public health authority standards and recommendations, present no evidence of adverse effect to human health, we cannot assure you that future studies, regardless of their scientific basis, will not suggest a link between electromagnetic fields and adverse health effects. Government agencies, international health organizations and other scientific bodies are currently conducting research into these issues. In addition, other mobile device companies have been named in individual plaintiff and class action lawsuits alleging that radio emissions from mobile phones have caused or contributed to brain tumors and the use of mobile phones poses a health risk. Although our products are certified as meeting applicable public health authority safety standards and recommendations, even a perceived risk of adverse health effects from smartphones or other handheld devices could adversely impact use of such devices or subject us to costly litigation and could harm our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.

If third parties infringe our intellectual property or if we are unable to secure and protect our intellectual property, we may expend significant resources enforcing our rights or suffer competitive injury.

Our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology and other intellectual property rights. We have a significant investment in the rights to the Palm brand and related trademarks and will continue to invest in that brand and in our patent portfolio.

We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Our intellectual property, particularly our patents, may not provide us a significant competitive advantage. If we fail to protect or to enforce our intellectual property rights successfully, our competitive position could suffer, which could harm our results of operations.

Our pending patent and trademark applications for registration may not be allowed, or others may challenge the validity or scope of our patents or trademarks, including patent or trademark applications or registrations. Even if our patents or trademark registrations are issued and maintained, these patents or trademarks may not be of adequate scope or benefit to us or may be held invalid and unenforceable against third parties.

We may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and police our intellectual property rights. Effective policing of the unauthorized use of our products or intellectual property is difficult and litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights. Intellectual property litigation is not only expensive, but time-consuming, regardless of the merits of any claim, and could divert attention of our management from operating our business. Despite our efforts, we may not be able to detect infringement and may lose competitive position in the market before we do so. In addition, competitors may design around our technology or develop competing technologies. Intellectual property rights may also be unavailable or limited in some foreign countries, which could make it easier for competitors to capture market share.

 

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In the past, there have been leaks of proprietary information associated with our intellectual property. We have implemented a security plan to reduce the risk of future leaks of proprietary information; however, we cannot assure you that the security plan will be able to prevent the risk of all leaks of proprietary information. In addition, we may not be successful in preventing those who have obtained our proprietary information through past leaks from using our technology to produce competing products or in preventing future leaks of proprietary information.

Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, existing laws, contractual provisions and remedies afford only limited protection. Intellectual property lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties due to, among other things, the complexity of the technical issues involved, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in asserting intellectual property claims. Attempts may be made to copy or reverse engineer aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to protect our proprietary rights against unauthorized third-party copying or use. The unauthorized use of our technology or of our proprietary information by competitors could have an adverse effect on our ability to sell our products.

We have an international presence in countries whose laws may not provide protection of our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, which may make it more difficult for us to protect our intellectual property.

As part of our business strategy, we target customers and relationships with suppliers and ODMs in countries with large populations and propensities for adopting new technologies. However, many of these countries do not address to the same extent as the United States misappropriation of intellectual property or deter others from developing similar, competing technologies or intellectual property. Effective protection of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property may be unavailable or limited in some foreign countries. As a result, we may not be able to effectively prevent competitors in these regions from infringing our intellectual property rights, which would reduce our competitive advantage and ability to compete in those regions and negatively impact our business.

Our future results could be harmed by economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international sales and operations.

Because we sell our products worldwide and most of the facilities where our devices are manufactured, distributed and supported are located outside the United States, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, such as:

 

   

changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets;

 

   

changes in international relations;

 

   

trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements;

 

   

changes in or interpretation of tax laws;

 

   

compliance with a wide variety of laws and regulations which may have civil and/or criminal consequences for us and our officers and directors who we indemnify;

 

   

difficulty in managing widespread sales operations; and

 

   

difficulty in managing a geographically dispersed workforce in compliance with diverse local laws and customs.

In addition, we are subject to changes in demand for our products resulting from exchange rate fluctuations that make our products relatively more or less expensive in international markets. If exchange rate fluctuations occur, our business and results of operations could be harmed by decreases in demand for our products or reductions in margins.

While we sell our products worldwide, we have limited experience with sales and marketing in some countries. There can be no assurance that we will be able to market and sell our products in all of our targeted international markets. If our international efforts are not successful, our business growth and results of operations could be harmed.

 

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We may be required to record impairment charges in future quarters as a result of the decline in value of our investments in auction rate securities.

We hold a variety of interest bearing ARS that represent investments in pools of assets, including commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, credit linked notes and credit derivative products. At the time of acquisition, these ARS investments were intended to provide liquidity via an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined calendar intervals, allowing investors to either roll over their holdings or gain immediate liquidity by selling such interests at par. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, uncertainties in the credit markets affected all of our holdings in ARS investments and auctions for our investments in these securities have failed to settle on their respective settlement dates. Auctions for our investments in these securities have continued to fail during the three months ended August 31, 2008. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid and we will not be able to access these funds until a future auction of these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside of the auction process. We may decide to hold these investments for a long time or to sell them at a substantial discount if we need liquidity. Maturity dates for these ARS investments range from 2017 to 2052.

The valuation of our investment portfolio, including our investment in ARS, is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact its valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, liquidity and ongoing strength and quality of credit markets.

Although we currently have the ability and intent to hold these ARS investments until a recovery of the auction process and/or for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, if the current market conditions deteriorate further, or the anticipated recovery in market values does not occur, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in future quarters.

Our ability to utilize our net operating losses may be limited if we engage in transactions which bring cumulative change in ownership for Palm to 50% or more.

As a result of the recapitalization transaction in October 2007, we experienced a change in our ownership of approximately 27% as of October 24, 2007. If over a rolling three-year period, the cumulative change in our ownership exceeds 50%, our ability to utilize our net operating losses to offset future taxable income may be limited. This would limit the net operating loss available to offset taxable income each year following the cumulative change in our ownership over 50%. In the event the usage of these net operating losses is subject to limitation and we are profitable, our earnings and cash flows could be adversely impacted due to our increased tax liability.

If we continue to experience quarterly net losses over an extended period of time, we may need to establish a valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset relating to our net operating loss carryforwards, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

During the past five quarters, we have generated domestic net operating loss carryforwards that resulted in an increase in our existing deferred tax assets. If the current trends and market conditions continue and if we continue to generate net operating losses, we may be in a cumulative loss position in fiscal year 2009 and will need to evaluate increasing the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. The key components of this evaluation are, among other things, considering all of the positive and negative evidence in existence at that time, including the cumulative results of operations in recent years, the nature of recent losses, forecasts of a return to profitability and the length of tax loss carryforward periods. We will continue to assess whether an increase in the valuation allowance is necessary each quarter by considering all of the positive and negative evidence in existence at that time and, depending upon the nature and weighting of such evidence, a substantial increase in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets may be required in the near term, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

We are subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. Any assessment arising from an audit and the cost of any related dispute could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are subject to income and transaction taxes in the United States and in multiple foreign jurisdictions and to review or audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. While we strongly believe our tax positions are compliant with applicable tax laws and regulations, our positions could be subject to dispute by the taxing authorities. Any such dispute could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations.

We may need or find it advisable to seek additional funding which may not be available or which may result in substantial dilution of the value of our common stock.

We currently believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated operating cash requirements and debt service or repayment requirements for at least the next 12 months. We could be required to seek additional funding if our expectations are not met.

 

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Even if our expectations are met, we may find it advisable to seek additional funding. If we seek additional funding, adequate funds may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to adequately fund our business plans and it could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if funds are available, the issuance of equity securities or securities convertible into equity could dilute the value of shares of our common stock and cause the market price to fall and the issuance of additional debt could impose restrictive covenants that could impair our ability to engage in certain business transactions.

We may pursue strategic acquisitions and investments which could have an adverse impact on our business if they are unsuccessful.

We have made acquisitions in the past and will continue to evaluate other acquisition opportunities that could provide us with additional product or service offerings or with additional industry expertise, assets and capabilities. Acquisitions could result in difficulties integrating acquired operations, products, technology, internal controls, personnel and management teams and result in the diversion of capital and management’s attention away from other business issues and opportunities. If we fail to successfully integrate acquisitions, including timely integration of internal controls to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our business could be harmed. In addition, our acquisitions may not be successful in achieving our desired strategic objectives, which would also cause our business to suffer. Acquisitions can also lead to large non-cash charges that can have an adverse effect on our results of operations as a result of write-offs for items such as acquired in-process research and development, impairment of goodwill or the recording of stock-based compensation. In addition, from time to time we make strategic venture investments in other companies that provide products and services that are complementary to ours. If these investments are unsuccessful, this could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Business interruptions could adversely affect our business.

Our operations and those of our suppliers and customers are vulnerable to interruption by fire, hurricanes, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failure, computer viruses, computer hackers, terrorist attacks, wars, military activity, labor disruptions, health epidemics and other natural disasters and events beyond our control. For example, a significant part of our third-party manufacturing is based in Taiwan, an area that has experienced earthquakes and is considered seismically active. In addition, the business interruption insurance we carry may not cover, in some instances, or be sufficient to compensate us fully for losses or damages—including, for example, loss of market share and diminution of our brand, reputation and customer loyalty—that may occur as a result of such events. Any such losses or damages incurred by us could have an adverse effect on our business.

Wars, terrorist attacks or other threats beyond our control could negatively impact consumer confidence, which could harm our operating results.

Wars, terrorist attacks or other threats beyond our control could have an adverse impact on the United States and world economy in general, and consumer confidence and spending in particular, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to the Securities Markets and Ownership of Our Common and Preferred Stock

Our common stock price may be subject to significant fluctuations and volatility.

The market price of our common stock has been subject to significant fluctuations since the date of our initial public offering. These fluctuations could continue. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

 

   

quarterly variations in our operating results;

 

   

changes in revenues or earnings estimates or publication of research reports by analysts;

 

   

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

   

strategic actions by us, our customers, our suppliers or our competitors, such as new product announcements, acquisitions or restructurings;

 

   

actions by institutional stockholders or financial analysts;

 

   

general market conditions; and

 

   

domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance.

The stock markets in general, and the markets for high technology stocks in particular, have experienced high volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

 

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Elevation Partners may exercise significant influence over Palm.

As of August 31, 2008, the Series B Preferred Stock owned by Elevation Partners and its affiliates is convertible into approximately 26% of our outstanding common stock on an as-converted basis and votes on an as-converted basis with our common stock on all matters other than the election of directors.

Subject to certain exceptions, Elevation Partners will be permitted under the terms of a stockholders’ agreement between Palm and Elevation Partners, or the Stockholders’ Agreement, to maintain its ownership interest in Palm in subsequent offerings. As a result, Elevation Partners may have the ability to significantly influence the outcome of any matter submitted for the vote of Palm stockholders. The terms of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Stockholders’ Agreement (other than the election of directors) provide that Elevation Partners will designate a percentage of Palm’s board of directors proportional to Elevation Partners’ ownership position in Palm. Elevation Partners may have interests that diverge from, or even conflict with, those of Palm or its stockholders.

Certain elements of our relationship with Elevation Partners and our executive officers may discourage other parties from trying to acquire Palm.

The ownership position and governance rights of Elevation Partners could discourage a third party from proposing a change of control or other strategic transaction concerning Palm. Also, employment arrangements with our executive officers provide for termination benefits, including acceleration of the vesting of certain equity awards if they terminate their employment for good reason following a change of control or within three months prior to a change of control of Palm. Further, in connection with certain change of control transactions in which Elevation Partners maintains a beneficial ownership percentage of at least 7.5% of the surviving entity, they are entitled to retain a seat on the board of directors of the surviving entity. As a result of these factors, our common stock could trade at prices that do not reflect a “takeover premium” to the same extent as do the stocks of similarly situated companies that do not have a stockholder with an ownership interest as large as Elevation Partners’ ownership interest.

We may not have the ability to finance the mandatory repurchase offer pursuant to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock.

If certain change of control transactions occur, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase up to all of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, at the option and election of the holders thereof. We will have the option to pay the repurchase price in cash or, subject to certain conditions, publicly traded shares of the acquiring entity in the change of control transaction. The cash repurchase price per share is 101% of the liquidation preference. The repurchase price per share, if paid in publicly traded shares of the acquiring entity, is 105% of the liquidation preference. Our failure to pay the repurchase price in respect of all tendered shares for any reason, including the absence of funds legally available for such payment, would require us to pay conditional dividends, which represent a cash dividend at an annual rate equal to the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. plus four percent, on each share of Series B Preferred Stock. Conditional dividends will accrue and cumulate until the date on which we pay the entire repurchase price, and will be payable quarterly. For so long as conditional dividends are accruing, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may declare or pay any dividends on our common stock, or repurchase or redeem any shares of our common stock. This may adversely affect the rights of our existing stockholders and the market price of our common stock. These repurchase requirements may also delay or make it more difficult for others to obtain control of us.

Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law and our adoption of a stockholder rights plan may delay or prevent acquisition of us, which could decrease the value of shares of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors. These provisions include a classified Board of Directors and limitations on actions by our stockholders by written consent. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock (including Series B Preferred Stock outstanding on an as-converted basis). In addition, our Board of Directors has the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer. Although we believe these provisions provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders.

Our Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan, pursuant to which we declared and paid a dividend of one right for each share of common stock outstanding as of November 6, 2000. Unless redeemed by us prior to the time the rights are exercised, upon the occurrence of certain events, the rights will entitle the holders to receive upon exercise of the rights shares of our preferred stock, or shares of an acquiring entity, having a value equal to twice the then-current exercise price of the right. The issuance of the rights could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes employee stock repurchase activity for the three months ended August 31, 2008:

 

     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
   Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of a
Publicly Announced
Plan (2)
   Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet be
Purchased under
the Plan (2)

June 1, 2008—June 30, 2008

   —      $ —      —      $ —      $ 219,037,247

July 1, 2008—July 31, 2008

   —        —      —        —      $ 219,037,247

August 1, 2008—August 31, 2008

   —        —      —        —      $ 219,037,247
                  
   —      $ —      —        
                  

 

(1) During the three months ended August 31, 2008, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock. As of August 31, 2008, a total of approximately 288,000 restricted shares may still be repurchased.

 

(2) In September 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock buyback program for the Company to repurchase up to $250.0 million of its common stock. The program does not have a specified expiration date. During the three months ended August 31, 2008, no shares were repurchased under the stock buyback program. As of August 31, 2008, $219.0 million remains available for future repurchase.

 

56


Table of Contents
Item 6. Exhibits

 

         

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

  2.1      

   Master Separation and Distribution Agreement between 3Com and the registrant effective as of December 13, 1999, as amended.    S-1/A    333-92657    2.1    1/28/00   

  2.2      

   Tax Sharing Agreement between 3Com and the registrant.    10-Q    000-29597    2.7    4/10/00   

  2.3      

   Indemnification and Insurance Matters Agreement between 3Com and the registrant.    10-Q    000-29597    2.11    4/10/00   

  2.4      

   Form of Non-U.S. Plan.    S-1    333-92657    2.12    12/13/99   

  2.5      

   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the registrant, Peace Separation Corporation, Harmony Acquisition Corporation and Handspring, Inc., dated June 4, 2003.    8-K    000-29597    2.1    6/6/03   

  2.6      

   Amended and Restated Master Separation Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.14    8/18/03   

  2.7      

   Amended and Restated Indemnification and Insurance Matters Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.17    8/18/03   

  2.8      

   Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.23    8/18/03   

  2.9      

   Master Patent Ownership and License Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.30    8/18/03   

  2.10    

   Xerox Litigation Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc., as amended.    10-K/A    000-29597    2.34    9/26/03   

  3.1      

   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.    10-Q    000-29597    3.1    10/11/02   

  3.2      

   Amended and Restated Bylaws.    8-K    000-29597    3.2    10/30/07   

  3.3      

   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation.    8-K    000-29597    3.3    10/30/07   

  3.4      

   Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock.    8-K    000-29597    3.1    10/30/07   

  4.1      

   Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereof.    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

  4.2      

   Specimen Stock Certificate.    10-K    000-29597    4.2    7/29/05   

  4.3      

   Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. (formerly Fleet National Bank), as amended.    8-K    000-29597    4.1    11/22/00   

  4.4      

   5% Convertible Subordinated Note, dated as of November 4, 2003.    10-Q    000-29597    4.4    4/6/04   

  4.5      

   Amendment to Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.    8-A/A    000-29597    4.2    11/18/04   

  4.6      

   Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging Palm, Inc. into palmOne, Inc.    10-K    000-29597    4.6    7/29/05   

  4.7      

   Amendment No. 2 to Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.    8-K    000-29597    4.1    6/5/07   

  4.8      

   Amendment No. 3 to Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.    8-A12G/A    000-29597    4.4    10/30/07   

 

57


Table of Contents
         

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit

  Number  

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

10.1*    

   Form of Stock Option Agreement under 1999 Stock Plan.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.2    1/28/00   

10.2*    

   Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.    S-8    000-29597    10.2    11/18/04   

10.3*    

   Form of 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Agreements.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.4    1/28/00   

10.4*    

   Amended and Restated 1999 Director Option Plan.    S-8    333-47126    10.5    10/2/00   

10.5*    

   Form of 1999 Director Option Plan Agreements.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.6    1/28/00   

10.6      

   Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its directors and executive officers.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.8    1/28/00   

10.7*    

   Form of Management Retention Agreement.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.14    2/28/00   

10.8*    

   Form of Severance Agreement for Executive Officers.    10-Q    000-29597    10.44    10/11/02   

10.9*    

   Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.    10-Q    000-29597    10.13    10/5/06   

10.10*  

   Handspring, Inc. 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.    S-8    333-110055    10.1    10/29/03   

10.11*  

   Handspring, Inc. 1999 Executive Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.    S-8    333-110055    10.2    10/29/03   

10.12*  

   Handspring, Inc. 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.    S-8    333-110055    10.3    10/29/03   

10.13    

   Separation Agreement between the registrant and R. Todd Bradley dated as of January 24, 2005.    10-Q    000-29597    10.26    4/5/05   

10.14    

   Amendment No. 3 to the Loan and Security Agreement between the registrant and Silicon Valley Bank.    10-Q    000-29597    10.29    4/5/05   

10.15    

   Sub-Lease between the registrant and Philips Electronics North America Corporation.    10-Q    000-29597    10.30    4/5/05   

10.16    

   Offer Letter from the registrant to Andrew J. Brown dated as of December 13, 2004.    10-Q    000-29597    10.31    4/5/05   

10.17    

   Loan Modification Agreement between the registrant and Silicon Valley Bank.    10-K    000-29597    10.25    7/29/05   

10.18    

   Second Amended and Restated Software License Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc., PalmSource Overseas Limited and palmOne Ireland Investment, dated May 23, 2005.    8-K    000-29597    10.2    7/28/05   

10.19    

   Purchase Agreement between the registrant, PalmSource, Inc. and Palm Trademark Holding Company, LLC, dated May 23, 2005.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    5/27/05   

10.20    

   Retention Agreement between the registrant and Celeste Baranski, dated June 29, 2005.    10-Q    000-29597    10.28    10/7/05   

10.21    

   Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions between the registrant and Hunter/Storm, LLC, dated February 2, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.25    4/11/06   

10.22    

   Release Agreement between the registrant and Ken Wirt dated as of March 13, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.26    4/11/06   

10.23    

   First Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions, dated March 13, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.27    4/11/06   

10.24    

   Second Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions, dated April 3, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.28    4/11/06   

 

58


Table of Contents
         

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit

  Number  

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

10.25    

   Patent License and Settlement Agreement between the registrant and Xerox Corporation, dated June 27, 2006.    10-K    000-29597    10.29    7/28/06   

10.26*  

   Form of Performance Share Agreement for Directors under 1999 Stock Plan.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    10/12/06   

10.27*  

   Form of Performance Share Agreement for U.S. Grantees under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.31    1/9/07   

10.28**

   2006 Software License Agreement between the registrant and ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc., dated December 5, 2006.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    4/4/07   

10.29    

   Amendment No. 1 to Master Patent Ownership and License Agreement between the registrant and ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc., dated December 5, 2006.    8-K    000-29597    10.2    4/4/07   

10.30    

   Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the registrant, Elevation Partners, L.P. and Passport Merger Corporation, dated June 1, 2007.    8-K    000-29597    2.1    6/5/07   

10.31    

   Registration Rights Agreement among the registrant, Elevation Partners, L.P. and Elevation Employee Side Fund.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    10/30/07   

10.32    

   Stockholders’ Agreement among the registrant, Elevation Partners, L.P. and Elevation Employee Side Fund.    8-K    000-29597    10.2    10/30/07   

10.33    

   Offer Letter from the registrant to Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007.    10-Q    000-29597    10.34    1/9/08   

10.34    

   Offer Letter Amendment between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of October 29, 2007.    10-Q    000-29597    10.35    1/9/08   

10.35*  

   Employment Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007 (effective as of October 24, 2007).    10-Q    000-29597    10.36    1/9/08   

10.36*  

   Management Retention Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007 (effective as of October 24, 2007).    10-Q    000-29597    10.37    1/9/08   

10.37*  

   Severance Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007 (effective as of October 24, 2007).    10-Q    000-29597    10.38    1/9/08   

10.38*  

   Inducement Option Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein.    S-8    333-148528    10.3    1/8/08   

10.39*  

   Inducement Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein.    S-8    333-148528    10.4    1/8/08   

10.40*  

   Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement for US Grantees under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.41    1/9/08   

10.41    

   Credit Agreement among the registrant, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., dated as of October 24, 2007.    10-Q    000-29597    10.42    1/9/08   

10.42*  

   Form of Stock Purchase Right Agreement under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.43    4/7/08   

10.43*  

   Form of Performance Share Agreement for U.S. Grantees under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.44    4/7/08   

31.1      

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d—14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.                X

 

59


Table of Contents
         

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

31.2

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d—14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.                X

32.1

   Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.                X

 

* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract arrangement in which any Director or Executive Officer participates.

 

** Confidential treatment granted on portions of this exhibit.

 

60


Table of Contents

Signatures

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.

 

   

Palm, Inc.

(Registrant)

  Date: October 2, 2008     By:    /s/ ANDREW J. BROWN
       

Andrew J. Brown

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

61


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

         

Incorporated by Reference

    

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

Filed
Herewith

  2.1      

   Master Separation and Distribution Agreement between 3Com and the registrant effective as of December 13, 1999, as amended.    S-1/A    333-92657    2.1    1/28/00   

  2.2      

   Tax Sharing Agreement between 3Com and the registrant.    10-Q    000-29597    2.7    4/10/00   

  2.3      

   Indemnification and Insurance Matters Agreement between 3Com and the registrant.    10-Q    000-29597    2.11    4/10/00   

  2.4      

   Form of Non-U.S. Plan.    S-1    333-92657    2.12    12/13/99   

  2.5      

   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the registrant, Peace Separation Corporation, Harmony Acquisition Corporation and Handspring, Inc., dated June 4, 2003.    8-K    000-29597    2.1    6/6/03   

  2.6      

   Amended and Restated Master Separation Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.14    8/18/03   

  2.7      

   Amended and Restated Indemnification and Insurance Matters Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.17    8/18/03   

  2.8      

   Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.23    8/18/03   

  2.9      

   Master Patent Ownership and License Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc.    S-4/A    333-106829    2.30    8/18/03   

  2.10    

   Xerox Litigation Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc., as amended.    10-K/A    000-29597    2.34    9/26/03   

  3.1      

   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.    10-Q    000-29597    3.1    10/11/02   

  3.2      

   Amended and Restated Bylaws.    8-K    000-29597    3.2    10/30/07   

  3.3      

   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation.    8-K    000-29597    3.3    10/30/07   

  3.4      

   Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock.    8-K    000-29597    3.1    10/30/07   

  4.1      

   Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereof.    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

  4.2      

   Specimen Stock Certificate.    10-K    000-29597    4.2    7/29/05   

  4.3      

   Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. (formerly Fleet National Bank), as amended.    8-K    000-29597    4.1    11/22/00   

  4.4      

   5% Convertible Subordinated Note, dated as of November 4, 2003.    10-Q    000-29597    4.4    4/6/04   

  4.5      

   Amendment to Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.    8-A/A    000-29597    4.2    11/18/04   

  4.6      

   Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging Palm, Inc. into palmOne, Inc.    10-K    000-29597    4.6    7/29/05   

  4.7      

   Amendment No. 2 to Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.    8-K    000-29597    4.1    6/5/07   

  4.8      

   Amendment No. 3 to Preferred Stock Rights Agreement between the registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.    8-A12G/A    000-29597    4.4    10/30/07   

10.1*    

   Form of Stock Option Agreement under 1999 Stock Plan.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.2    1/28/00   

 

62


Table of Contents
         

Incorporated by Reference

    

Exhibit

  Number  

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

Filed
Herewith

10.2*    

   Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.    S-8    000-29597    10.2    11/18/04   

10.3*    

   Form of 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Agreements.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.4    1/28/00   

10.4*    

   Amended and Restated 1999 Director Option Plan.    S-8    333-47126    10.5    10/2/00   

10.5*    

   Form of 1999 Director Option Plan Agreements.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.6    1/28/00   

10.6      

   Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its directors and executive officers.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.8    1/28/00   

10.7*    

   Form of Management Retention Agreement.    S-1/A    333-92657    10.14    2/28/00   

10.8*    

   Form of Severance Agreement for Executive Officers.    10-Q    000-29597    10.44    10/11/02   

10.9*    

   Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.    10-Q    000-29597    10.13    10/5/06   

10.10*  

   Handspring, Inc. 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.    S-8    333-110055    10.1    10/29/03   

10.11*  

   Handspring, Inc. 1999 Executive Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.    S-8    333-110055    10.2    10/29/03   

10.12*  

   Handspring, Inc. 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.    S-8    333-110055    10.3    10/29/03   

10.13    

   Separation Agreement between the registrant and R. Todd Bradley dated as of January 24, 2005.    10-Q    000-29597    10.26    4/5/05   

10.14    

   Amendment No. 3 to the Loan and Security Agreement between the registrant and Silicon Valley Bank.    10-Q    000-29597    10.29    4/5/05   

10.15    

   Sub-Lease between the registrant and Philips Electronics North America Corporation.    10-Q    000-29597    10.30    4/5/05   

10.16    

   Offer Letter from the registrant to Andrew J. Brown dated as of December 13, 2004.    10-Q    000-29597    10.31    4/5/05   

10.17    

   Loan Modification Agreement between the registrant and Silicon Valley Bank.    10-K    000-29597    10.25    7/29/05   

10.18    

   Second Amended and Restated Software License Agreement between the registrant and PalmSource, Inc., PalmSource Overseas Limited and palmOne Ireland Investment, dated May 23, 2005.    8-K    000-29597    10.2    7/28/05   

10.19    

   Purchase Agreement between the registrant, PalmSource, Inc. and Palm Trademark Holding Company, LLC, dated May 23, 2005.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    5/27/05   

10.20    

   Retention Agreement between the registrant and Celeste Baranski, dated June 29, 2005.    10-Q    000-29597    10.28    10/7/05   

10.21    

   Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions between the registrant and Hunter/Storm, LLC, dated February 2, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.25    4/11/06   

10.22    

   Release Agreement between the registrant and Ken Wirt dated as of March 13, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.26    4/11/06   

10.23    

   First Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions, dated March 13, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.27    4/11/06   

10.24    

   Second Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions, dated April 3, 2006.    10-Q    000-29597    10.28    4/11/06   

10.25    

   Patent License and Settlement Agreement between the registrant and Xerox Corporation, dated June 27, 2006.    10-K    000-29597    10.29    7/28/06   

 

63


Table of Contents
         

Incorporated by Reference

    

Exhibit

  Number  

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

Filed
Herewith

10.26*  

   Form of Performance Share Agreement for Directors under 1999 Stock Plan.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    10/12/06   

10.27*  

   Form of Performance Share Agreement for U.S. Grantees under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.31    1/9/07   

10.28**

   2006 Software License Agreement between the registrant and ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc., dated December 5, 2006.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    4/4/07   

10.29    

   Amendment No. 1 to Master Patent Ownership and License Agreement between the registrant and ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc., dated December 5, 2006.    8-K    000-29597    10.2    4/4/07   

10.30    

   Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the registrant, Elevation Partners, L.P. and Passport Merger Corporation, dated June 1, 2007.    8-K    000-29597    2.1    6/5/07   

10.31    

   Registration Rights Agreement among the registrant, Elevation Partners, L.P. and Elevation Employee Side Fund.    8-K    000-29597    10.1    10/30/07   

10.32    

   Stockholders’ Agreement among the registrant, Elevation Partners, L.P. and Elevation Employee Side Fund.    8-K    000-29597    10.2    10/30/07   

10.33    

   Offer Letter from the registrant to Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007.    10-Q    000-29597    10.34    1/9/08   

10.34    

   Offer Letter Amendment between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of October 29, 2007.    10-Q    000-29597    10.35    1/9/08   

10.35*  

   Employment Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007 (effective as of October 24, 2007).    10-Q    000-29597    10.36    1/9/08   

10.36*  

   Management Retention Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007 (effective as of October 24, 2007).    10-Q    000-29597    10.37    1/9/08   

10.37*  

   Severance Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein, dated as of June 1, 2007 (effective as of October 24, 2007).    10-Q    000-29597    10.38    1/9/08   

10.38*  

   Inducement Option Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein.    S-8    333-148528    10.3    1/8/08   

10.39*  

   Inducement Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the registrant and Jonathan Rubinstein.    S-8    333-148528    10.4    1/8/08   

10.40*  

   Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement for US Grantees under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.41    1/9/08   

10.41    

   Credit Agreement among the registrant, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., dated as of October 24, 2007.    10-Q    000-29597    10.42    1/9/08   

10.42*  

   Form of Stock Purchase Right Agreement under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.43    4/7/08   

10.43*  

   Form of Performance Share Agreement for U.S. Grantees under 1999 Stock Plan.    10-Q    000-29597    10.44    4/7/08   

31.1      

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d—14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.                X

 

64


Table of Contents
         

Incorporated by Reference

    

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing
Date

  

Filed
Herewith

31.2

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d—14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.                X

32.1

   Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.                X

 

* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract arrangement in which any Director or Executive Officer participates.

 

** Confidential treatment granted on portions of this exhibit.

 

65