Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2022

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. Our current fiscal year will end on December 31, 2022 and will be comprised of 53 weeks. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 25, 2021, has been derived from our audited financial statements at that date. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 24, 2022, (also referred to as “the third quarter of fiscal 2022” and “the first nine months of fiscal 2022”) and September 25, 2021, (also referred to as “the third quarter of fiscal 2021” and “the first nine months of fiscal 2021”) 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. Both the three- and nine-month periods ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021 were comprised of 13 and 39 weeks, respectively.

Our interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect estimates and assumptions made by management at September 24, 2022 and for the nine-month period ended September 24, 2022. 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 25, 2021, which are included in our 2021 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 September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, our allowance for credit losses was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors throughout many areas of the world. While we believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate and represents our best estimate at September 24, 2022, 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, which occurs when estimated net realizable values are below our costs.

Inventories by category were as follows (in thousands):

	September 24,		December 25,
	2022		2021
Raw materials and purchased parts	$	98,440	$	92,798
Work in process		41,352		40,732
Finished goods		25,452		27,523
Total inventories	$	165,244	$	161,053

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):

	September 24,			December 25,
	2022			2021
Land and land improvements	$	6,439		$	7,703
Buildings and building improvements		29,479			31,711
Machinery and equipment		100,911			95,542
		136,829			134,956
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(75,040	)		(70,999	)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	61,789		$	63,957

Cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning 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 $13.9 million and $13.5 million at September 24, 2022, and December 25, 2021, respectively. These amounts are recorded within other current assets and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The change in the capitalized amount is due to costs capitalized in the current period, offset by amortization recorded. 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 amortization expense of $0.4 million and $1.4 million during the three and nine months ended September 24, 2022, respectively and amortization expense of $0.4 million and $1.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021, 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 three identified operating segments are: Test Handler Group (“THG”), Semiconductor Tester Group (“STG”) and Interface Solutions Group (“ISG”). 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 one segment, Semiconductor Test and Inspection Equipment (“Semiconductor Test & Inspection”). Prior to the sale of our PCB Test Group (“PTG”) on June 24, 2021, we reported in two segments, Semiconductor Test & Inspection and PCB Test Equipment (“PCB Test”).

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We evaluate goodwill 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. 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, 2021 as the estimated fair values of our reporting units 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.

Other intangible assets 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 other intangible 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.

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 relative standalone selling price 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, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations (“ASC 420”). 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 directly related to our Term Loan Credit Facility 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 $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 24, 2022, respectively. Amortization related to deferred debt issuance costs and original discount costs was $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021, respectively.

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. During the three and nine months ended September 24, 2022, we recognized foreign exchange gains of $1.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in our condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021, we recognized foreign exchange losses of $28,000 and $0.3 million, respectively, in our condensed consolidated statements of income. 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 foreign currency 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 held at our subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency. 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 income 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.

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

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 24,			September 25,			September 24,			September 25,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
Cost of sales	$	161		$	239		$	478		$	692
Research and development		755			889			2,333			2,433
Selling, general and administrative		2,824			2,586			8,284			7,618
Total share-based compensation		3,740			3,714			11,095			10,743
Income tax benefit		(770	)		(155	)		(3,232	)		(569	)
Total share-based compensation, net	$	2,970		$	3,559		$	7,863		$	10,174

Income Per Share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted income 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 and nine months ended September 24, 2022, stock options and awards to issue approximately 325,000 and 300,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021, stock options and awards to issue approximately 239,000 and 160,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively. All shares repurchased and held as treasury stock are reflected as a reduction to our basic weighted average shares outstanding based on the trade date of the share repurchase.

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

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 24,		September 25,		September 24,		September 25,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Weighted average common shares		47,984		48,666		48,412		46,992
Effect of dilutive securities		542		791		596		1,145
		48,526		49,457		49,008		48,137

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 income 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 September 24, 2022, we had $7.3 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 Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“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 Topic 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 September 24, 2022, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $17.2 million, current deferred profit of $9.8 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $5.6 million. At December 25, 2021, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $21.9 million, current deferred profit of $13.2 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $6.1 million.

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

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
Disaggregated Net Sales	September 24, 2022		September 25, 2021		September 24, 2022		September 25, 2021
Systems:
Semiconductor Test & Inspection	$	120,672	$	146,010	$	369,972	$	433,830
PCB Test		-		-		-		17,831
Non-systems:
Semiconductor Test & Inspection		86,015		79,053		251,698		234,764
PCB Test		-		-		-		8,929
Total net sales	$	206,687	$	225,063	$	621,670	$	695,354

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

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
Disaggregated Net Sales	September 24, 2022		September 25, 2021		September 24, 2022		September 25, 2021
China	$	31,477	$	60,205	$	116,715	$	171,653
Philippines		38,852		49,382		84,799		119,669
Malaysia		24,060		21,086		73,033		63,481
United States		19,510		15,498		62,826		57,435
Taiwan		11,243		15,006		46,620		74,392
Rest of the World		81,545		63,886		237,677		208,724
Total net sales	$	206,687	$	225,063	$	621,670	$	695,354

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		Nine Months Ended
	September 24,	September 25,	September 24,	September 25,
	2022	2021	2022	2021
Semiconductor Test & Inspection
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of net sales	one	two	*	one
Percentage of net sales	13%	32%	*	14%
PCB Test
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of net sales	N/A	N/A	N/A	*
Percentage of net sales	N/A	N/A	N/A	*

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

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance totaled approximately $72.4 million and $27.3 million at September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, 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, unrealized loss on investments and adjustments related to postretirement benefits. Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the first nine months of fiscal 2022 and 2021 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 nine months of fiscal 2022 and 2021 was not significant.

Business Divestitures

On June 24, 2021, we completed the sale of our PCB Test Equipment (“PCB Test”) business, which represented our PCB Test segment. As part of the transaction we also sold certain intellectual property held by our Semiconductor Test & Inspection segment that is utilized by the PCB Test business. See Note 12, “Business Divestitures” for additional information on this transaction.

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 25, 2021.