Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 01, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 31, 2022, has been derived from our audited financial statements at that date. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of July 1, 2023, (also referred to as “the second quarter of fiscal 2023” and “the first six months of fiscal 2023”) and June 25, 2022, (also referred to as “the second quarter of fiscal 2022” and “the first six months of fiscal 2022”) 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 six-month periods ended July 1, 2023 and June 25, 2022 were comprised of 13 and 26 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 July 1, 2023 and for the three- and six-month period ended July 1, 2023. 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 31, 2022, which are included in our 2022 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 Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 both July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our allowance for credit losses was $0.2 million. 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 July 1, 2023, we will continue to monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, which may result in changes to our estimates regarding expected credit losses.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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):

	July 1,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Raw materials and purchased parts	$	108,335	$	106,041
Work in process		35,752		36,024
Finished goods		29,666		28,076
Total inventories	$	173,753	$	170,141

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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):

	July 1,			December 31,
	2023			2022
Land and land improvements	$	7,069		$	7,066
Buildings and building improvements		32,831			31,161
Machinery and equipment		109,325			105,109
		149,225			143,336
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(82,599	)		(78,325	)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	66,626		$	65,011

Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 $13.3 million and $14.7 million at July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. These amounts are recorded within other current assets and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the fourth quarter of 2022 the final phase of ERP system development was completed. Implementation costs are amortized using the straight-line method over seven years and we recorded amortization expense of $0.7 million and $1.4 million during the three and six months ended July 1, 2023, respectively, and amortization expense of $0.5 million and $1.0 million during the three and six months ended June 25, 2022, respectively.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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”).

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 using a weighting of the income and market approaches. Under the income approach, we use a discounted cash flow methodology to derive an indication of value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasted revenues, gross profit margins, operating income margins, working capital cash flow, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others. For the market approach, we use the guideline public company method. Under this method we utilize information from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting units, to create valuation multiples that are applied to the operating performance metrics of the reporting unit being tested, to obtain an indication of value. We then apply a 50/50 weighting to the indicated values from the income and market approaches to derive the fair values of the reporting units. 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 1^st of each year and have determined there was no impairment as of October 1, 2022 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.

Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 $32,000 and $0.1 million for the three and six months ended July 1, 2023, respectively. Amortization related to deferred debt issuance costs and original discount costs was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 25, 2022, respectively.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 six months ended July 1, 2023, we recognized foreign exchange losses of $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in our condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and six months ended June 25, 2022, we recognized foreign exchange gains of $1.5 million and $2.6 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.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

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						Six Months Ended
	July 1,			June 25,			July 1,			June 25,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
Cost of sales	$	216		$	172		$	396		$	317
Research and development		819			826			1,685			1,578
Selling, general and administrative		3,397			2,935			6,265			5,460
Total share-based compensation		4,432			3,933			8,346			7,355
Income tax benefit		(62	)		(836	)		(2,838	)		(2,462	)
Total share-based compensation, net	$	4,370		$	3,097		$	5,508		$	4,893

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 six months ended July 1, 2023, stock options and awards to issue approximately 319,000 and 216,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 25, 2022, stock options and awards to issue approximately 351,000 and 288,000 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				Six Months Ended
	July 1,		June 25,		July 1,		June 25,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Weighted average common shares		47,618		48,475		47,481		48,626
Effect of dilutive securities		410		453		618		622
		48,028		48,928		48,099		49,248

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

Leases

We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. Operating lpeases 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 [Policy Text Block]

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 July 1, 2023, we had $6.5 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 July 1, 2023, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $9.6 million, current deferred profit of $4.1 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $5.2 million. At December 31, 2022, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $16.1 million, current deferred profit of $8.0 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $5.5 million.

Net sales by type are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Disaggregated Net Sales	July 1, 2023		June 25, 2022		July 1, 2023		June 25, 2022
Systems	$	87,312	$	131,951	$	190,296	$	249,300
Non-systems		81,609		85,275		157,996		165,683
Total net sales	$	168,921	$	217,226	$	348,292	$	414,983

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

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Disaggregated Net Sales	July 1, 2023		June 25, 2022		July 1, 2023		June 25, 2022
Philippines	$	25,359	$	21,562	$	57,149	$	45,947
Malaysia		23,258		28,857		55,153		48,973
China		28,394		46,585		49,504		85,238
United States		15,750		19,553		34,493		43,316
Rest of the World		76,160		100,669		151,993		191,509
Total net sales	$	168,921	$	217,226	$	348,292	$	414,983

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

	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	July 1,			June 25,		July 1,			June 25,
	2023			2022		2023			2022
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of net sales	two				*	one				*
Percentage of net sales		25	%		*		13	%		*

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance totaled approximately $36.6 million and $40.0 million at July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 six months of fiscal 2023 and 2022 were not significant.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 six months of fiscal 2023 and 2022 was not significant.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASC 848”). ASC 848 provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to certain U.S. GAAP contract modification requirements for contracts affected by reference rate reform as entities transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to alternative reference rates. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to defer the sunset date of ASC 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the optional expedients in ASC 848.

Effective June 16, 2023, we adopted ASC 848. Our Term Loan B Credit and Guaranty Agreement is our only contract where interest expense is based on LIBOR. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, LIBOR’s administrator, has ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings and is expected to stop publishing the Overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month USD LIBOR U.S. dollar settings in 2023. In anticipation of that cessation, we commenced the transition of our LIBOR-based contract to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR” or “Term SOFR”). The optional expedients under ASC 848 have allowed and will allow us to account for contract modifications as continuations of the existing contract without further reassessments or remeasurements that would otherwise be required under the applicable U.S. GAAP.