Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2021

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Our fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 26, 2020, has been derived from our audited financial statements at that date. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 27, 2021, (also referred to as “the first quarter of fiscal 2021” and “the first three months of fiscal 2021”) and March 28, 2020, (also referred to as “the first quarter of fiscal 2020” and “the first three months of fiscal 2020”) are unaudited. However, in management’s opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring items) necessary to provide a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The first quarter of fiscal 2021 and 2020 were both comprised of 13 weeks.

Our interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year. For a better understanding of Cohu, Inc. and our financial statements, we recommend reading these interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 26, 2020, which are included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the following notes to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements, Cohu, Inc. is referred to as “Cohu”, “we”, “our” and “us”.

All significant consolidated transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. We invest in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one issuer.

Our trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for credit losses, which is determined in accordance with the guidance provided by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, (“ASC 326”). At March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020 our allowance for credit losses was $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors and other customers located throughout the world. While we believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate and represents our best estimate at March 27, 2021, we will continue to monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in changes to our estimates regarding expected credit losses.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. Cost includes labor, material and overhead costs. Determining net realizable value of inventories involves numerous estimates and judgments including projecting average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods and costs to complete and dispose of inventory. As a result of these analyses, we record a charge to cost of sales in advance of the period when the inventory is sold when estimated net realizable values are below our costs.

Inventories by category were as follows (in thousands):

	March 27,		December 26,
	2021		2020
Raw materials and purchased parts	$	90,890	$	83,755
Work in process		54,247		44,315
Finished goods		15,734		14,430
Total inventories	$	160,871	$	142,500

Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, both owned and under financing lease, is calculated principally on the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of thirty to forty years for buildings, five to fifteen years for building improvements and three to ten years for machinery, equipment and software. Land is not depreciated.

Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 27,			December 26,
	2021			2020
Land and land improvements	$	7,934		$	8,141
Buildings and building improvements		40,247			41,153
Machinery and equipment		64,599			65,342
		112,780			114,636
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(47,004	)		(47,720	)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	65,776		$	66,916

Cloud Computing Implementation Costs

We have capitalized certain costs associated with the implementation of our new cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, (“ASC 350”). Capitalized costs include only external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing the system and interest costs incurred, when material, while developing the system.

Unamortized capitalized cloud computing implementation costs totaled $12.7 million and $13.5 million at March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively. These amounts are recorded within other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The change in the capitalized amount is costs capitalized in the current period, offset by amortization recorded, and an adjustment to accrued costs resulting from renegotiation of our software license that was finalized in the first quarter of 2021. We began amortizing some of these costs when our new ERP system was placed into service during the first quarter of 2020 and we continue to capitalize costs related to implementation projects that are ongoing. Implementation costs are amortized using the straight-line method over seven years and we recorded $0.4 million and $0.2 million in amortization expense during the three months ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively.

Segment Information

We applied the provisions of ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, (“ASC 280”), which sets forth a management approach to segment reporting and establishes requirements to report selected segment information quarterly and to report annually entity-wide disclosures about products, major customers and the geographies in which the entity holds material assets and reports revenue. An operating segment is defined as a component that engages in business activities whose operating results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker and for which discrete financial information is available. We have determined that our four identified operating segments are: Test Handler Group (THG), Semiconductor Test Group (STG), Interface Solutions Group (ISG) and PCB Test Group (PTG). Our THG, STG and ISG operating segments qualify for aggregation under ASC 280 due to similarities in their customers, their economic characteristics, and the nature of products and services provided. As a result, we report in two segments, Semiconductor Test and Inspection Equipment (“Semiconductor Test & Inspection”) and PCB Test Equipment (“PCB Test”).

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles, Other Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets

We evaluate goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are solely comprised of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit or asset, in the case of in-process research and development. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and its carrying value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash flow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and general economic conditions. Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and factors.

We conduct our annual impairment test as of October 1st of each year and have determined there was no impairment as of October 1, 2020, as the estimated fair values of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded their carrying values on that date. Other events and changes in circumstances may also require goodwill to be tested for impairment between annual measurement dates.

During the first quarter of 2020, the volatility in Cohu’s stock price, the global economic downturn and business interruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic led us to determine that there was a triggering event related to goodwill within all of our identified reporting units and our indefinite-lived intangible assets. We performed an interim assessment as of March 28, 2020 and determined that the fair values of our identified reporting units all exceeded their carrying values and we concluded there were no impairment of goodwill within our reporting units. During the three months ended March 28, 2020, anticipated delays in customer adoption of certain new products under development as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to future project roadmap and an increase in the discount rate used in developing our interim fair value estimate resulted in a $3.9 million impairment to IPR&D as the carrying value exceeded fair value.

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.

During the first quarter of 2021, no events or conditions occurred suggesting an impairment in our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles, other intangible assets and long-lived assets.

Product Warranty

Product warranty costs are accrued in the period sales are recognized. Our products are generally sold with standard warranty periods, which differ by product, ranging from 12 to 36 months. Parts and labor are typically covered under the terms of the warranty agreement. Our warranty expense accruals are based on historical and estimated costs by product and configuration. From time-to-time we offer customers extended warranties beyond the standard warranty period. In those situations, the revenue relating to the extended warranty is deferred at its estimated fair value and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Costs associated with our extended warranty contracts are expensed as incurred.

Restructuring Costs

We record restructuring activities including costs for one-time termination benefits in accordance with ASC Topic 420 (“ASC 420”), Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. The timing of recognition for severance costs accounted for under ASC 420 depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits, a liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. Otherwise, a liability is recognized when management has committed to a restructuring plan and has communicated those actions to employees. Employee termination benefits covered by existing benefit arrangements are recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. These costs are recognized when management has committed to a restructuring plan and the severance costs are probable and estimable. See Note 4, “Restructuring Charges” for additional information.

Debt Issuance Costs

We capitalize costs related to the issuance of debt. Debt issuance costs that were directly related to our Term Loan B are presented within noncurrent liabilities as a reduction of long-term debt in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The amortization of such costs is recognized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the respective debt issue. Amortization related to deferred debt issuance costs and original discount costs was $0.3 million for both the three months ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020.

Foreign Remeasurement and Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries that use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency are re-measured using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, except for nonmonetary assets, such as inventories and property, plant and equipment, which are re-measured using historical exchange rates. Revenues and costs are re-measured using average exchange rates for the period, except for costs related to those balance sheet items that are re-measured using historical exchange rates. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries have designated the local currency as their functional currency and, as a result, their assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. During the three months ended March 27, 2021, we recognized foreign exchange losses of $0.3 million, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 28, 2020, we recognized foreign exchange losses of $0.4 million.

Certain of our foreign subsidiaries have designated the local currency as their functional currency and, as a result, their assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. Cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Foreign Exchange Derivative Contracts

We operate and sell our products in various global markets. As a result, we are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into foreign currency forward contracts with a financial institution to hedge against future movements in foreign exchange rates that affect certain existing U.S. Dollar denominated assets and liabilities at our subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency. Under this program, our strategy is to have increases or decreases in our foreign currency exposures mitigated by gains or losses on the foreign currency forward contracts in order to mitigate the risks and volatility associated with foreign currency transaction gains or losses.

We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. For accounting purposes, our foreign currency forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and, accordingly, we record the fair value of these contracts as of the end of our reporting period in our condensed consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded within foreign transaction gain (loss) in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for both realized and unrealized gains and losses. See Note 7, “Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional information.

Share-Based Compensation

We measure and recognize all share-based compensation under the fair value method. Our estimate of share-based compensation expense requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options) and related tax effects. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made are reasonable and appropriate, changes in assumptions could materially impact our reported financial results.

Reported share-based compensation is classified, in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 27,			March 28,
	2021			2020
Cost of sales	$	262		$	212
Research and development		781			833
Selling, general and administrative		2,480			2,566
Total share-based compensation		3,523			3,611
Income tax benefit		(234	)		(172	)
Total share-based compensation, net	$	3,289		$	3,439

Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted income (loss) per share includes the dilutive effect of common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock and performance stock units and issuance of stock under our employee stock purchase plan using the treasury stock method. In loss periods, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the per share computations due to their anti-dilutive effect. For purposes of computing diluted income per share, stock options with exercise prices that exceed the average fair market value of our common stock for the period are excluded. For the three months ended March 27, 2021, no stock options and awards were excluded from the computation. For the three months ended March 28, 2020, stock options and awards to issue approximately 58,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation.

The following table reconciles the denominators used in computing basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 27,		March 28,
	2021		2020
Weighted average common shares		43,756		41,502
Effect of dilutive securities		1,726		-
		45,482		41,502

For the three months ended March 28, 2020 Cohu has utilized the “control number” concept in the computation of diluted earnings per share to determine whether potential common stock instruments are dilutive. The control number used is income from continuing operations. The control number concept requires that the same number of potentially dilutive securities applied in computing diluted earnings per share from continuing operations be applied to all other categories of income or loss, regardless of their anti-dilutive effect on such categories.

Leases

We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets, current other accrued liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, other current accrued liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the adoption date or the commencement date for leases entered into after the adoption date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rates for the remaining lease terms based on the information available at the adoption date or commencement date in determining the present value of future payments.

The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made, lease incentives, favorable and unfavorable lease terms recognized in business acquisitions and excludes initial direct costs incurred and variable lease payments. Variable lease payments include estimated payments that are subject to reconciliations throughout the lease term, increases or decreases in the contractual rent payments, as a result of changes in indices or interest rates and tax payments that are based on prevailing rates. Our lease terms may include renewal options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those options. In addition, we include purchase option amounts in our calculations when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those options. Rent expense for minimum payments under operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet but recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component and include both in our calculation of the ROU assets and lease liabilities.

We sublease certain leased assets to third parties, mainly as a result of unused space in our facilities. None of our subleases contain extension options. Variable lease payments in our subleases include tax payments that are based on prevailing rates. We account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Revenue Recognition

Our net sales are derived from the sale of products and services and are adjusted for estimated returns and allowances, which historically have been insignificant. We recognize revenue when the obligations under the terms of a contract with our customers are satisfied; generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of our systems, non-system products or services. In circumstances where control is not transferred until destination or acceptance, we defer revenue recognition until such events occur.

Revenue for established products that have previously satisfied a customer’s acceptance requirements is generally recognized upon shipment. In cases where a prior history of customer acceptance cannot be demonstrated or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable and in the case of new products, revenue and cost of sales are deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Our post-shipment obligations typically include installation and standard warranties. The relative standalone selling price of installation related revenue is recognized in the period the installation is performed. Service revenue is recognized over time as we transfer control to our customer for the related contract or upon completion of the services if they are short-term in nature. Spares, contactor and kit revenue is generally recognized upon shipment.

Certain of our equipment sales have multiple performance obligations. These arrangements involve the delivery or performance of multiple performance obligations, and transfer of control of performance obligations may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. For arrangements containing multiple performance obligations, the revenue relating to the undelivered performance obligation is deferred using the relative standalone selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until satisfaction of the deferred performance obligation.

Unsatisfied performance obligations primarily represent contracts for products with future delivery dates. At March 27, 2021, we had $8.2 million of revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that were unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) for contracts with original expected durations of over one year. As allowed under ASC 606, we have opted to not disclose unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with original expected durations of less than one year.

We generally sell our equipment with a product warranty. The product warranty provides assurance to customers that delivered products are as specified in the contract (an “assurance-type warranty”). Therefore, we account for such product warranties under ASC 460, Guarantees (ASC 460), and not as a separate performance obligation.

The transaction price reflects our expectations about the consideration we will be entitled to receive from the customer and may include fixed or variable amounts. Fixed consideration primarily includes sales to customers that are known as of the end of the reporting period. Variable consideration includes sales in which the amount of consideration that we will receive is unknown as of the end of a reporting period. Such consideration primarily includes sales made to certain customers with cumulative tier volume discounts offered. Variable consideration arrangements are rare; however, when they occur, we estimate variable consideration as the expected value to which we expect to be entitled. Included in the transaction price estimate are amounts in which it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable consideration that does not meet revenue recognition criteria is deferred. 

Our contracts are typically less than one year in duration and we have elected to use the practical expedient available in ASC 606 to expense cost to obtain contracts as they are incurred because they would be amortized over less than one year.

Accounts receivable represents our unconditional right to receive consideration from our customer. Payments terms do not exceed one year from the invoice date and therefore do not include a significant financing component. To date, there have been no material impairment losses on accounts receivable. There were no material contract assets or contract liabilities recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet in any of the periods presented.

On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our condensed consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped. At March 27, 2021, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $25.4 million, current deferred profit of $13.0 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $6.5 million. At December 26, 2020, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $17.1 million, current deferred profit of $8.7 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $6.7 million.

Net sales of our reportable segments, by type, are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
Disaggregated Net Sales	March 27, 2021		March 28, 2020
Systems:
Semiconductor Test & Inspection	$	138,159	$	70,539
PCB Test		8,620		6,840
Non-systems:
Semiconductor Test & Inspection		74,247		57,474
PCB Test		4,462		4,068
Total net sales	$	225,488	$	138,921

Revenue by geographic area based upon product shipment destination (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
Disaggregated Net Sales	March 27, 2021		March 28, 2020
China	$	54,265	$	30,811
Philippines		33,754		10,022
Taiwan		32,196		13,881
Malaysia		23,259		15,174
United States		20,059		19,078
Rest of the World		61,955		49,955
Total net sales	$	225,488	$	138,921

A small number of customers historically have been responsible for a significant portion of our net sales. Significant customer concentration information, by reportable segment, is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 27,		March 28,
	2021		2020
Semiconductor Test & Inspection
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of net sales		*		two
Percentage of net sales		*		26%
PCB Test
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of net sales		*		*
Percentage of net sales		*		*

* No single customer represented more than 10% of consolidated net sales.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance totaled approximately $14.8 million and $4.3 million at March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively, and was attributed to all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity and consists of, on an after-tax basis where applicable, foreign currency adjustments resulting from the translation of certain of our subsidiary accounts where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar and adjustments related to postretirement benefits. Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the first three months of fiscal 2021 and 2020 were not significant.

Retiree Medical Benefits

We provide post-retirement health benefits to certain retired executives, one director (who is a former executive) and their eligible dependents under a noncontributory plan. These benefits are no longer offered to any other retired Cohu employees. The net periodic benefit cost incurred during the first three months of fiscal 2021 and 2020 was not significant.

Discontinued Operations

Management determined that the fixtures services business, that was acquired as part of Xcerra, did not align with Cohu’s long-term strategic plan and divested this portion of the business in February 2020. See Note 12, “Discontinued Operations” for additional information. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts herein relate to continuing operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no material changes in recently issued or adopted accounting standards from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020.