2014 Q3


 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended May 29, 2014

OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to

Commission file number 1-10658

Micron Technology, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
75-1618004
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
8000 S. Federal Way, Boise, Idaho
83716-9632
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(208) 368-4000

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  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x   No  o

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 definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer x
Accelerated Filer o
Non-Accelerated Filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company o

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

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant's common stock as of June 26, 2014, was 1,070,823,247.

 
 
 
 
 




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Net sales
 
$
3,982

 
$
2,318

 
$
12,131

 
$
6,230

Cost of goods sold
 
2,614

 
1,762

 
8,079

 
5,091

Gross margin
 
1,368

 
556

 
4,052

 
1,139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
 
174

 
127

 
527

 
369

Research and development
 
349

 
226

 
1,013

 
664

Restructure and asset impairments
 
9

 
55

 
18

 
94

Other operating (income) expense, net
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
235

 
(17
)
Operating income
 
839

 
149

 
2,259

 
29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
5

 
2

 
16

 
8

Interest expense
 
(80
)
 
(54
)
 
(264
)
 
(167
)
Other non-operating income (expense), net
 
(21
)
 
(45
)
 
(223
)
 
(263
)
 
 
743

 
52

 
1,788

 
(393
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax (provision) benefit
 
(72
)
 
1

 
(215
)
 
(3
)
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees
 
135

 
(10
)
 
355

 
(120
)
Net income (loss)
 
806

 
43

 
1,928

 
(516
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 
(33
)
 
(2
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron
 
$
806

 
$
43

 
$
1,895

 
$
(518
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.76

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.79

 
$
(0.51
)
Diluted
 
0.68

 
0.04

 
1.58

 
(0.51
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
1,067

 
1,024

 
1,058

 
1,018

Diluted
 
1,190

 
1,047

 
1,196

 
1,018








See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

1



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Net income (loss)
 
$
806

 
$
43

 
$
1,928

 
$
(516
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(13
)
 
(7
)
 
(17
)
 
2

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(6
)
 
(9
)
Gain (loss) on investments, net
 

 
(1
)
 
2

 
(2
)
Pension liability adjustments
 

 

 
2

 
(1
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(15
)
 
(9
)
 
(19
)
 
(10
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
791

 
34

 
1,909

 
(526
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 
(1
)
 
(33
)
 
(3
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Micron
 
$
791

 
$
33

 
$
1,876

 
$
(529
)


































See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions except par value amounts)
(Unaudited)

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
 
$
4,062

 
$
2,880

Short-term investments
 
202

 
221

Receivables
 
2,715

 
2,329

Inventories
 
2,532

 
2,649

Restricted cash
 

 
556

Other current assets
 
194

 
276

Total current assets
 
9,705

 
8,911

Long-term marketable investments
 
545

 
499

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
8,021

 
7,626

Equity method investments
 
744

 
396

Intangible assets, net
 
343

 
386

Deferred tax assets
 
693

 
861

Other noncurrent assets
 
444

 
439

Total assets
 
$
20,495

 
$
19,118

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
2,828

 
$
2,115

Deferred income
 
282

 
243

Equipment purchase contracts
 
142

 
182

Current debt
 
1,508

 
1,585

Total current liabilities
 
4,760

 
4,125

Long-term debt
 
4,137

 
4,452

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
813

 
535

Total liabilities
 
9,710

 
9,112

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable convertible notes
 
88

 

 
 
 
 
 
Micron shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 3,000 shares authorized, 1,070 shares issued and outstanding (1,044 as of August 29, 2013)
 
107

 
104

Additional capital
 
8,210

 
9,187

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
 
1,579

 
(212
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
44

 
63

Total Micron shareholders' equity
 
9,940

 
9,142

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
 
757

 
864

Total equity
 
10,697

 
10,006

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
20,495

 
$
19,118



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions, Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
1,928

 
$
(516
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation expense and amortization of intangible assets
 
1,550

 
1,354

Amortization of debt discount and other costs
 
130

 
86

Loss on restructure of debt
 
182

 
31

Stock-based compensation
 
81

 
61

Adjustment to gain on MMJ Acquisition
 
33

 

(Gains) losses from currency hedges, net
 
19

 
224

Equity in net (income) loss of equity method investees
 
(355
)
 
120

Noncash restructure and asset impairments
 
(17
)
 
91

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
(330
)
 
(280
)
Inventories
 
117

 
38

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
575

 
44

Customer prepayments
 
71

 
(95
)
Deferred income taxes, net
 
184

 
(5
)
Other
 
184

 
(59
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
4,352

 
1,094

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
 
(1,518
)
 
(964
)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
 
(475
)
 
(574
)
Payments to settle hedging activities
 
(25
)
 
(216
)
Decrease in restricted cash
 
559

 
1

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities
 
442

 
592

Proceeds from settlement of hedging activities
 
16

 
23

Other
 
78

 
(32
)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
 
(923
)
 
(1,170
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Repayments of debt
 
(3,134
)
 
(664
)
Payments on equipment purchase contracts
 
(292
)
 
(162
)
Cash paid to purchase common stock under equity plans
 
(75
)
 
(5
)
Cash paid for capped call transactions
 

 
(48
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt
 
1,062

 
812

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity plans
 
247

 
68

Proceeds from equipment sale-leaseback transactions
 
14

 
106

Cash received from capped call transactions
 

 
24

Other
 
(56
)
 
(74
)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
 
(2,234
)
 
57

 
 
 
 
 
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 
(13
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents
 
1,182

 
(19
)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
 
2,880

 
2,459

Cash and equivalents at end of period
 
$
4,062

 
$
2,440

 
 
 
 
 
Noncash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Exchange of convertible notes
 
$
756

 
$

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest
 
127

 

Equipment acquisitions on contracts payable and capital leases
 
294

 
387

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All tabular amounts in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Business and Basis of Presentation

Micron Technology, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to collectively as "we," "our," "us" and similar terms unless the context indicates otherwise), is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through our worldwide operations, we manufacture and market a full range of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash memory, as well as other innovative memory technologies, packaging solutions and semiconductor systems for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, automotive, industrial, embedded and mobile products. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America consistent in all material respects with those applied in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 29, 2013. In the opinion of our management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all necessary adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, to fairly state the financial information set forth herein. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation.

Our fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31. Our third quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 ended on May 29, 2014 and May 30, 2013, respectively. All period references are to our fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 29, 2013.


Variable Interest Entities

We have interests in entities that are Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). If we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we are required to consolidate it. To determine if we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate whether we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our evaluation includes identification of significant activities and an assessment of our ability to direct those activities based on governance provisions and arrangements to provide or receive product and process technology, product supply, operations services, equity funding, financing and other applicable agreements and circumstances. Our assessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs require significant assumptions and judgments.

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Inotera: Inotera Memories, Inc. ("Inotera") is a VIE because its equity is not sufficient to permit it to finance its activities without additional support from its shareholders. We have determined that we do not have the power to direct the activities of Inotera that most significantly impact its economic performance, primarily due to (1) limitations on our governance rights that require the consent of other parties for key operating decisions and (2) Inotera's dependence on Nanya Technology Corporation ("Nanya") for financing and the ability of Inotera to operate in Taiwan. Therefore, we do not consolidate Inotera and we account for our interest under the equity method. See "Equity Method Investments – Inotera" note.

EQUVO Entities: EQUVO HK Limited and EQUVA Capital 1 Pte. Ltd. (together, the "EQUVO Entities") are special purpose entities created to facilitate equipment sale-leaseback financing transactions between us and a consortium of financial institutions ("Financing Entities"). Neither we nor the Financing Entities have an equity ownership interest in the EQUVO Entities. The EQUVO Entities are VIEs because their equity is not sufficient to permit them to finance their activities without additional support from the Financing Entities and because the third-party equity holder lacks characteristics of a controlling financial interest. By design, the arrangements with the EQUVO Entities are merely financing vehicles and we do not bear any significant risks from variable interests with the EQUVO Entities. Therefore, we have determined that we do not have the power to direct the activities of the EQUVO Entities that most significantly impact their economic performance and we do not consolidate the EQUVO Entities.


5



SC Hiroshima Energy Corporation: SC Hiroshima Energy Corporation ("SCHE") is an entity created to construct and operate a cogeneration electrical power plant to support our wafer manufacturing facility in Hiroshima, Japan. SCHE is a VIE due to the nature of its tolling agreements with us and our purchase and call options for SCHE's assets. We do not have an equity ownership interest in SCHE. We do not control the operation and maintenance of the plant, which we have determined are the activities of SCHE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Therefore, we do not consolidate SCHE.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

IMFT: IM Flash Technologies, LLC ("IMFT") is a VIE because all of its costs are passed to us and its other member, Intel Corporation ("Intel"), through product purchase agreements and IMFT is dependent upon us or Intel for any additional cash requirements.  The primary activities of IMFT are driven by the constant introduction of product and process technology. Because we perform a significant majority of the technology development, we have the power to direct its key activities.  In addition, IMFT manufactures certain products exclusively for us using our technology.  We also determined that we have the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from IMFT that could potentially be significant to it.  As a result, we have determined that we have the power to direct the activities of IMFT that most significantly impact its economic performance and, therefore, we consolidate IMFT.

MP Mask: MP Mask Technology Center, LLC ("MP Mask") is a VIE because substantially all of its costs are passed to us and its other member, Photronics, Inc. ("Photronics"), through product purchase agreements and MP Mask is dependent upon us or Photronics for any additional cash requirements.  We have tie-breaking voting rights over key operating decisions and nearly all key MP Mask activities are driven by our supply needs.  We also determined that we have the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from MP Mask that could potentially be significant to it.  As a result, we have determined that we have the power to direct the activities of MP Mask that most significantly impact its economic performance and, therefore, we consolidate MP Mask.

For further information regarding our consolidated VIEs, see "Equity – Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries" note.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP.  The core principal of this ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract.  This ASU will be effective for us in our first quarter of 2018.  Early adoption is not permitted. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We are evaluating the transition method that will be elected and the potential effects of the adoption of this ASU on our financial statements.


Micron Memory Japan, Inc.

On July 31, 2013, we acquired Elpida Memory, Inc. ("Elpida"), now known as Micron Memory Japan, Inc. ("MMJ"), and 89% of Rexchip Electronics Corporation ("Rexchip''), now known as Micron Memory Taiwan Co., Ltd. ("MMT"), for an aggregate of $949 million in cash (collectively, the "MMJ Acquisition"). In the second and third quarters of 2014, we purchased an additional aggregate 10.6% of MMT's outstanding common stock, after which we owned 99.5% of the outstanding common stock of MMT. (See "Equity – Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries – MMT" note.) Both MMJ and MMT manufacture semiconductor memory products including mobile DRAM targeted toward mobile phones and tablets.

In connection with the MMJ Acquisition, we recorded net assets of $2.60 billion and noncontrolling interests of $168 million. Because the fair value of the net assets acquired, less noncontrolling interests, exceeded our purchase price, we recognized a gain on the acquisition of $1.48 billion. In the second quarter of 2014, the provisional amounts as of the acquisition date were adjusted, primarily for pre-petition liabilities. As a result, we recorded a charge of $33 million in the second quarter of 2014 in other non-operating expense for these measurement period adjustments to adjust the gain on the MMJ Acquisition.


6



The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations as if the MMJ Acquisition had occurred on September 2, 2011.  The pro forma financial information includes the accounting effects of the business combination, including adjustments to the amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, interest expense and elimination of intercompany activities.  The unaudited pro forma financial information for the quarter and nine months ended May 30, 2013 includes our results for the quarter and nine months ended May 30, 2013 and the results of MMJ and MMT, including the adjustments described above, for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2013. The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the MMJ Acquisition occurred on September 2, 2011.

 
 
Quarter Ended
May 30,
2013
 
Nine Months Ended
May 30,
2013
Net sales
 
$
3,314

 
$
8,844

Net income
 
2,068

 
1,697

Net income attributable to Micron
 
2,049

 
1,655

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.00

 
$
1.63

Diluted
 
1.96

 
1.60



Investments

The fair values of available-for-sale investments, which approximated amortized costs, were as follows:

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Money market funds
 
$
370

 
$
1,188

Corporate bonds
 
446

 
414

Certificates of deposit
 
294

 
349

Government securities
 
158

 
168

Asset-backed securities
 
117

 
97

Commercial paper
 
25

 
61

Marketable equity securities
 
1

 
6

 
 
$
1,411

 
$
2,283


The table below presents the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities by contractual maturity:

As of
 
May 29,
2014
Money market funds
 
$
370

Due in 1 year or less
 
496

Due in 1 - 2 years
 
262

Due in 2 - 4 years
 
273

Due after 4 years
 
9

 
 
$
1,410


Proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale securities were $78 million and $301 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $346 million and $481 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively. Gross realized gains and losses for the third quarters and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were not significant. As of May 29, 2014, no available-for-sale security had been in a loss position for longer than 12 months.



7



Receivables

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Trade receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4 and $5, respectively)
 
$
2,357

 
$
2,069

Income and other taxes
 
73

 
74

Other
 
285

 
186

 
 
$
2,715

 
$
2,329


As of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, other receivables included $76 million and $34 million, respectively, due from Intel for amounts related to NAND Flash and certain emerging memory technologies product design and process development activities under cost-sharing agreements.  (See "Equity – Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries – IMFT" note.)


Inventories

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Finished goods
 
$
883

 
$
796

Work in process
 
1,474

 
1,719

Raw materials and supplies
 
175

 
134

 
 
$
2,532

 
$
2,649



Property, Plant and Equipment

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Land
 
$
86

 
$
86

Buildings
 
5,016

 
4,835

Equipment
 
16,822

 
15,600

Construction in progress
 
115

 
84

Software
 
340

 
315

 
 
22,379

 
20,920

Accumulated depreciation
 
(14,358
)
 
(13,294
)
 
 
$
8,021

 
$
7,626


Depreciation expense was $508 million and $1.46 billion for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $421 million and $1.29 billion for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively. Other noncurrent assets included land held for development of $56 million as of May 29, 2014 and $54 million as of August 29, 2013.




8



Equity Method Investments

As of
 
May 29, 2014
 
August 29, 2013
 
 
Investment Balance
 
Ownership Percentage
 
Investment Balance
 
Ownership Percentage
Inotera(1)
 
$
689

 
33
%
 
$
344

 
35
%
Tera Probe
 
44

 
40
%
 
40

 
40
%
Other
 
11

 
Various

 
12

 
Various

 
 
$
744

 
 
 
$
396

 
 
(1) Entity is a variable interest entity.

As of May 29, 2014, substantially all of our maximum exposure to loss from our VIEs that were not consolidated was the $689 million carrying value of our investment in Inotera.  We may also incur losses in connection with our rights and obligations to purchase substantially all of Inotera's wafer production capacity under a supply agreement with Inotera.

We recognize our share of earnings or losses from our equity method investments generally on a two-month lag.  Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees, net of tax, included the following:

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Inotera
 
$
134

 
$
(13
)
 
$
349

 
$
(121
)
Tera Probe
 
2

 

 
8

 

Other
 
(1
)
 
3

 
(2
)
 
1

 
 
$
135

 
$
(10
)
 
$
355

 
$
(120
)

Inotera

We have partnered with Nanya in Inotera, a Taiwan DRAM memory company, since 2009.  On May 15, 2014, Inotera issued 400 million common shares in a public offering at a price equal to 31.50 New Taiwan dollars per share, which was in excess of our carrying value per share. We did not purchase any shares in the offering and our ownership interest decreased from 35% to 33%. As a result of Inotera's offering, we will recognize a non-operating gain of approximately $90 million. Because we recognize the effects of our investment in Inotera on a two-month lag, the gain will be recorded in our fourth quarter of 2014. As of May 29, 2014, we held a 33% ownership interest, Nanya and its affiliates held a 33% ownership interest and the remaining ownership interest in Inotera was publicly held.

As of May 29, 2014, the market value of our equity interest in Inotera was $3.01 billion based on the closing trading price of 42.30 New Taiwan dollars of its shares in an active market. As of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, there were gains of $30 million and $44 million, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cumulative translation adjustments from our equity investment in Inotera.

As of December 31, 2013, Inotera was not in compliance with certain loan covenants and had not been in compliance for the past several years. Inotera received a waiver from complying with the December 31, 2013 financial covenants. As of March 31, 2014, Inotera's liquidity position had improved and its current assets exceeded its current liabilities by $239 million.


9



Through December 2012, we had rights and obligations to purchase 50% of Inotera's wafer production capacity based on a margin-sharing formula among Nanya, Inotera and us. In the second quarter of 2013, we entered into agreements with Nanya and Inotera to amend the joint venture relationship involving Inotera. The amendments included a new supply agreement with Inotera (the "Inotera Supply Agreement") under which we are obligated to purchase substantially all of Inotera's DRAM output at a discount from market prices for our comparable components over an initial three-year term. The Inotera Supply Agreement contemplates annual negotiations with respect to potential successive one-year extensions, and if in any year the parties do not agree to an extension, the agreement will terminate following the end of the then-existing term plus a subsequent three-year wind-down period. Our share of Inotera's capacity would decline over the three-year wind-down period. In the second quarter of 2014, we extended the initial period of the Inotera Supply Agreement through December 2016. Under the Inotera supply agreements, we purchased $700 million and $2.00 billion of DRAM products in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $341 million and $742 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively.

Pursuant to a cost-sharing arrangement with Nanya, which was effective through December 31, 2012, our research and development ("R&D") costs were reduced by $19 million in the first nine months of 2013. Nanya ceased participating in the joint development program after December 31, 2012.

Tera Probe

In the fourth quarter of 2013, as part of the MMJ Acquisition, we acquired a 40% interest in Tera Probe, Inc. ("Tera Probe"), which provides semiconductor wafer testing and probe services to us and others. The initial net carrying value of our investment was less than our proportionate share of Tera Probe's equity and the difference is being amortized as a credit to earnings through equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees (the "Tera Probe Amortization"). As of May 29, 2014, the remaining balance of the Tera Probe Amortization was $28 million and is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 6 years.

As of May 29, 2014, the market value of our equity interest in Tera Probe was $37 million based on the closing trading price of its shares in an active market, which was $7 million below our carrying value. We evaluated our investment in Tera Probe and concluded that the decline in the market value below our carrying value was not an other-than-temporary impairment primarily because of the market value improvement subsequent to May 29, 2014, the limited amount of time the fair value was below the carrying value and historical volatility of the stock price.

We incurred manufacturing costs for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 of $24 million and $88 million, respectively, for services performed by Tera Probe.

Other

Aptina: Other equity method investments included an equity interest in Aptina Imaging Corporation ("Aptina"). The amount of cumulative loss we recognized from our investment in Aptina reduced our investment balance to zero in 2012, at which time we ceased recognizing our proportionate share of Aptina's results of operations.

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, we recognized net sales of $61 million and $170 million, respectively, and cost of goods sold of $70 million and $208 million, respectively, from products sold to Aptina under a wafer supply agreement. In the third quarter of 2013, in connection with our sale of Micron Technology Italia, S.r.l. ("MIT") to LFoundry Marsica S.r.l. ("LFoundry"), we assigned to LFoundry our supply agreement with Aptina to manufacture image sensors at MIT. In 2013, we also loaned $45 million to Aptina under a short-term, interest-free, unsecured agreement which was repaid in the first six months of 2014.

On June 9, 2014, ON Semiconductor Corporation announced that it will pay approximately $400 million to acquire Aptina, subject to certain customary closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014 or first quarter of 2015, subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Upon the successful completion of ON Semiconductor's acquisition of Aptina, our proportionate share of the acquisition proceeds would be based on our diluted ownership interest of approximately 27%.




10



Intangible Assets

As of
 
May 29, 2014
 
August 29, 2013
 
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
Product and process technology
 
$
670

 
$
(328
)
 
$
642

 
$
(269
)
Customer relationships
 
127

 
(126
)
 
127

 
(114
)
Other
 
16

 
(16
)
 

 

 
 
$
813

 
$
(470
)
 
$
769

 
$
(383
)

During the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, we capitalized $29 million and $24 million, respectively, for product and process technology with weighted-average useful lives of 10 years.

Amortization expense was $34 million and $88 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $21 million and $62 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively.  Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $108 million for 2014, $77 million for 2015, $65 million for 2016, $55 million for 2017 and $44 million for 2018.


Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Accounts payable
 
$
1,348

 
$
1,048

Related party payables
 
703

 
374

Salaries, wages and benefits
 
410

 
267

Customer advances
 
96

 
140

Income and other taxes
 
54

 
47

Other
 
217

 
239

 
 
$
2,828

 
$
2,115


As of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, related party payables included $694 million and $345 million, respectively, due to Inotera primarily for the purchase of DRAM products under the Inotera Supply Agreement. As of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, related party payables also included $9 million and $29 million, respectively, due to Tera Probe for probe services performed. (See "Equity Method Investments" note.)

As of May 29, 2014, customer advances included $90 million for amounts received from a customer in the first quarter of 2014 under a DRAM supply agreement to be applied to purchases at market pricing through September 2016. As of May 29, 2014, other noncurrent liabilities included an additional $113 million from this DRAM supply agreement. As of August 29, 2013, customer advances included $134 million for amounts received from Intel to be applied to purchases under a NAND Flash supply agreement.




11



Debt

As of
 
 
 
 
 
May 29, 2014
 
August 29, 2013
Instrument(1)
 
Stated Rate
 
Effective Rate
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Total
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Total
MMJ creditor installment payments; $1,396 and $1,969 principal amount
N/A

 
6.25
%
 
$
193

 
$
943

 
$
1,136

 
$
527

 
$
1,117

 
$
1,644

Capital lease obligations;
imputed rate of 4.31% and 4.07%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
347

 
621

 
968

 
407

 
845

 
1,252

2014 convertible senior notes;
$0 and $485 principal amount
 
1.875
%
 
7.88
%
 

 

 

 
465

 

 
465

2019 senior notes;
$462 principal amount
 
1.258
%
 
1.97
%
 
92

 
370

 
462

 

 

 

2022 senior notes;
$600 principal amount
 
5.875
%
 
6.16
%
 

 
600

 
600

 

 

 

2027 convertible senior notes;
$0 and $175 principal amount
 
1.875
%
 
6.95
%
 

 

 

 

 
147

 
147

2031A convertible senior notes;
$0 and $345 principal amount
 
1.500
%
 
6.55
%
 

 

 

 

 
277

 
277

2031B convertible senior notes;(2)(3)
$114 and $345 principal amount
 
1.875
%
 
6.98
%
 
86

 

 
86

 

 
253

 
253

2032C convertible senior notes;(2)
$390 and $550 principal amount
 
2.375
%
 
5.95
%
 

 
336

 
336

 

 
463

 
463

2032D convertible senior notes;(2)
$374 and $450 principal amount
 
3.125
%
 
6.33
%
 

 
311

 
311

 

 
369

 
369

2033E convertible senior notes;(2)(3)
$300 principal amount
 
1.625
%
 
4.50
%
 
276

 

 
276

 

 
272

 
272

2033F convertible senior notes;(2)(3)
$300 principal amount
 
2.125
%
 
4.93
%
 
264

 

 
264

 

 
260

 
260

2043G convertible senior notes;
$1,025 principal amount
 
3.000
%
 
6.77
%
 

 
633

 
633

 

 

 

Other notes payable
 
3.082
%
 
3.67
%
 
250

 
323

 
573

 
186

 
449

 
635

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,508

 
$
4,137

 
$
5,645

 
$
1,585

 
$
4,452

 
$
6,037

(1) We have either the obligation or the option to pay cash for the aggregate amount due upon conversion for all of our convertible notes. Since it is our current intent to settle in cash the principal amount of all of our convertible notes upon conversion, the dilutive effect of such notes on earnings per share is computed under the treasury stock method.
(2) Since the closing price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading day period ended March 31, 2014 exceeded 130% of the initial conversion price per share, holders had the right to convert their notes at any time during the calendar quarter ended June 30, 2014. The closing price of our common stock also exceeded the thresholds for the calendar quarter ended June 30, 2014 and these notes are therefore convertible by the holders through September 30, 2014.
(3) As a result of these notes being convertible at the option of the holder through June 30, 2014, and because the terms of these notes would require us to pay cash for the principal amount of any converted notes, amounts are classified as current.

Debt Restructure

During the first, second and third quarters of 2014, we initiated a series of actions to restructure our debt as follows:

Exchange Transactions: In November 2013, we exchanged $440 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2027 Notes, 2031A Notes and 2031B Notes into 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2043.
Debt Conversions and Settlements: In the second and third quarters of 2014, holders of substantially all of our remaining 2014 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2031A Notes (with an aggregate principal amount of $770 million) converted their notes and we settled the conversions in cash for $1,446 million.
Cash Repurchases: In the second and third quarters of 2014, we repurchased $263 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031B Notes, 2032C Notes and 2032D Notes in privately-negotiated transactions for an aggregate of $660 million in cash.

12



Issuance of Non-Convertible Notes: In February 2014, we issued $600 million in principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due February 2022.

Exchange Transactions: On November 12, 2013, in a series of separate non-cash transactions, we exchanged portions of our 2027 Notes, 2031A Notes and 2031B Notes (collectively, the "Exchanged Notes") into 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2043 (the "2043G Notes") (collectively, the "Exchange Transactions"). In connection with the Exchange Transactions, which were accounted for as extinguishments, we issued to holders of the Exchanged Notes new 2043G Notes with an aggregate principal amount at issuance of $820 million, which accretes up to a principal amount at maturity of $1.03 billion (see further discussion in "2043G Notes" below). The liability and equity components of the Exchanged Notes had previously been stated separately within debt and additional capital in our consolidated balance sheet. As a result, our accounting for the Exchanged Notes affected debt and equity. In connection with the Exchange Transactions, we recognized a loss of $38 million based on the difference between the carrying values and the fair values of the debt components of the Exchanged Notes, which was included in other non-operating expense for the first quarter of 2014. The fair value for the debt component of each of the Exchanged Notes was determined as if they were stand-alone instruments using interest rates for similar nonconvertible debt issued by entities with credit ratings comparable to ours at the time of issuance (based on Level 2 fair value measurements). The table below summarizes the Exchange Transactions:
 
 
 
Principal Amount
 
Carrying Value of Debt
 
Equity
Amounts reduced in connection with the Exchanged Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2027 Notes
 
$
80

 
$
68

 
$
51

2031A Notes
 
155

 
125

 
148

2031B Notes
 
205

 
152

 
212

 
 
440

 
345

 
411

Amounts added in connection with the issued notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2043G Notes
 
1,025

 
627

 
173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) as a result of the Exchange Transactions
 
$
585

 
$
282

 
$
(238
)

Debt Conversions and Settlements: During the first and second quarters of 2014, we initiated a series of actions resulting in a number of debt conversions and settlements. Those actions included the following:

Termination of Conversion Rights of our 2027 Notes – On November 7, 2013, we announced the termination of the conversion rights for our remaining 2027 Notes, effective on December 13, 2013. During the first and second quarters of 2014, substantially all of the holders of our 2027 Notes exercised their option to convert their notes and, in each case, we elected to settle the conversion amount entirely in cash.

Redemption of our 2031A Notes – On November 7, 2013, we called for the redemption of our remaining 2031A Notes on December 7, 2013. During the first and second quarters of 2014, substantially all of the holders of our 2031A Notes exercised their option to convert their notes and, in each case, we elected to settle the conversion amount entirely in cash.

Redemption of our 2014 Notes – On January 31, 2014, we called for the redemption of our remaining 2014 Notes on March 3, 2014. During the second and third quarters of 2014, substantially all of the holders of our 2014 Notes exercised their option to convert their notes and, in each case, we elected to settle the conversion amount entirely in cash.


13



As a result of our elections to settle the conversion amounts in cash, each of the settlement obligations became derivative debt liabilities subject to mark-to-market accounting treatment. Under the terms of the indentures for the above notes, cash settlement amounts for these derivative debt liabilities were determined based on the shares underlying the converted notes multiplied by the volume-weighted-average price of our common stock over a period of 20 consecutive trading days, beginning three days after the holder's election to convert their notes. Therefore, we reclassified the fair values of the equity components of each of the converted notes from additional capital to derivative debt liabilities within current debt in our consolidated balance sheet. In connection with the above, we used an aggregate of $718 million and $728 million in cash in the third and second quarters of 2014, respectively, to settle conversions. A summary of the conversions for these notes is as follows:

 
 
Debt Principal Converted
 
Carrying Value of Debt Converted
 
Equity Component Reclassified To Debt(1)
 
Mark-to-Market Loss(Gain)(2)
 
Loss on Settlement(2)
Quarter ended November 28, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2027 Notes
 
$

 
$

 
$
58

 
$
22

 
$

2031A Notes
 

 

 
115

 
15

 

 
 

 

 
173

 
37

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended February 27, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Notes
 
66

 
65

 
309

 
(1
)
 
1

2027 Notes
 
95

 
80

 

 
4

 
15

2031A Notes
 
190

 
154

 
102

 
12

 
38

 
 
351

 
299

 
411

 
15

 
54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended May 29, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Notes
 
419

 
413

 
32

 
2

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended May 29, 2014
 
$
770

 
$
712

 
$
616

 
$
54

 
$
61

(1) Based on Level 2 fair value measurements.
(2) Included in non-operating expense.

Cash Repurchases: In January 2014, we repurchased $164 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031B Notes, 2032C Notes and 2032D Notes in privately-negotiated transactions for an aggregate of $407 million in cash. In April 2014, we repurchased $60 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2032C Notes in privately-negotiated transactions for an aggregate of $142 million in cash. In May 2014, we repurchased $39 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2032D Notes in privately-negotiated transactions for an aggregate of $111 million in cash. These notes repurchased in January, April and May 2014 are collectively referred to herein as the "Repurchased Notes." In connection with the purchase of the Repurchased Notes, we recognized losses (based on Level 2 fair value measurements) of $7 million and $11 million in the third and second quarters of 2014, respectively, which were included in other non-operating expense.


14



The liability and equity components of the Repurchased Notes had previously been stated separately within debt and additional capital in our consolidated balance sheet. As a result, our accounting for the Repurchased Notes affected debt and equity. The table below summarizes activity in the second and third quarters of 2014 with respect to Repurchased Notes:

 
 
Principal Amount
 
Carrying Value of Debt
 
Equity
Quarter ended February 27, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2031B Notes
 
$
26

 
$
19

 
$
43

2032C Notes
 
100

 
85

 
159

2032D Notes
 
38

 
31

 
60

 
 
164

 
135

 
262

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended May 29, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2032C Notes
 
60

 
51

 
86

2032D Notes
 
39

 
32

 
76

 
 
99

 
83

 
162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
263

 
$
218

 
$
424


Issuance of Non-Convertible Notes: On February 5, 2014, we issued $600 million in principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due February 2022 (the "2022 Notes"). Issuance costs for the 2022 Notes totaled $14 million.

The 2022 Notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit, in certain circumstances, our ability and/or the ability of our domestic restricted subsidiaries (which are generally subsidiaries in the U.S. in which we own at least 80% of the voting stock) to (1) create or incur certain liens and enter into sale and lease-back transactions, (2) create, assume, incur or guarantee certain additional secured indebtedness and unsecured indebtedness of certain of our domestic restricted subsidiaries, and (3) consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets, to another entity. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations, exceptions and qualifications.

Cash Redemption at Our Option: Prior to February 15, 2017, we may redeem the 2022 Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the principal amount of the 2022 Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium as described in the indenture governing the 2022 Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, we may use the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes at a price equal to 105.875% of the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest. On or after February 15, 2017, we may redeem the 2022 Notes, in whole or in part, at prices above principal amount that decline over time, as specified in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

MMJ Creditor Installment Payments

In October 2013, we made the first MMJ creditor installment payment of $534 million from funds that had been held in a current restricted cash account since the acquisition date. The remaining installment payments are due at the end of each calendar year from 2014 through 2019.

2043G Notes

In connection with the Exchange Transactions, on November 12, 2013, we issued $1.03 billion principal amount of the 2043G Notes. Each $1,000 principal amount at maturity had an original issue price of $800. An amount equal to the difference between the original issue price and the principal amount at maturity will accrete in accordance with a schedule set forth in the indenture.  The initial conversion rate for the 2043G Notes is 34.2936 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $29.16 per share of common stock.


15



Upon issuance of the 2043G Notes, we recorded $627 million of debt, $173 million of additional capital and $5 million of deferred debt issuance costs (included in other noncurrent assets). The amount recorded as debt was based on the fair value of the debt component as a standalone instrument and was determined using an average interest rate for similar nonconvertible debt issued by entities with credit ratings comparable to ours at the time of issuance (Level 2 fair value measurements). We recorded a debt discount of $398 million for the difference between the debt recorded at inception and the principal amount at maturity. Holders of the 2043G Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes on November 15, 2028 at the accreted principal amount, which is scheduled to be $917 million at such date. We have the option to pay cash, issue shares of common stock or any combination thereof, for the aggregate amount due upon conversion. It is our current intent to settle in cash the principal amount of the 2043G Notes upon conversion. As a result, the dilutive effect of the 2043G Notes in earnings per share is computed under the treasury stock method.

Conversion Rights: Holders may convert their 2043G Notes under the following circumstances: (1) if the 2043G Notes are called for redemption; (2) during any calendar quarter if the closing price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the conversion price (approximately $37.91 per share) of the 2043G Notes; (3) if the trading price of the 2043G Notes is less than 98% of the product of the closing price of our common stock and the conversion rate of the 2043G Notes during the periods specified in the indenture; (4) if specified distributions or corporate events occur, as set forth in the indenture; or (5) at any time after August 15, 2043.

Cash Redemption at Our Option: Prior to November 20, 2018, we may redeem for cash the 2043G Notes if the closing price of our common stock is more than 130% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending within five trading days prior to the date on which we provide notice of redemption. The redemption price would equal the principal amount at maturity plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after November 20, 2018, we may redeem for cash the 2043G Notes without regard to the closing price of our common stock. The redemption price would equal the accreted principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. If we redeem the 2043G Notes prior to November 20, 2018, we are required to pay in cash a make-whole premium as specified in the indenture.

Cash Repurchase at the Option of the Holder: Holders of the 2043G Notes may require us to repurchase for cash all or a portion of the 2043G Notes on November 15, 2028. The repurchase price is equal to the accreted principal amount at such date plus accrued and unpaid interest. Holders of the 2043G Notes may also require us to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their 2043G Notes at a repurchase price equal to the accreted principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest upon a change in control or a termination of trading, as defined in the indenture.

2019 Notes

On December 20, 2013, we issued $462 million in principal amount of 1.258% Secured Notes due January 2019 (the "2019 Notes"). The 2019 Notes mature on January 15, 2019 and are collateralized by certain equipment which had a carrying value of $215 million as of May 29, 2014. The principal amount of the 2019 Notes is payable in 10 consecutive semi-annual installments payable in January and July of each year, commencing in July 2014. The Export-Import Bank of the United States ("Ex-Im Bank") guaranteed payment of all regularly scheduled installment payments of principal of, and interest on, the 2019 Notes. We paid $23 million to Ex-Im Bank for its guarantee upon issuance of the 2019 Notes.

The 2019 Notes contains covenants which are customary for financings of this type, including negative covenants that limit or restrict our ability to create liens or dispose of the equipment securing the 2019 Notes. Events of default also include, among others, the occurrence of any event or circumstance that, in the reasonable judgment of Ex-Im Bank, is likely materially and adversely to affect our ability to perform any payment obligation, or any of our other material obligations under the indenture, the 2019 Notes or under any other related transaction documents to which Ex-Im Bank is a party.

Cash Redemption at Our Option: At any time prior to the maturity date of the 2019 Notes, we may redeem the 2019 Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the principal amount of the 2019 Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium as described in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

Other Notes Payable

On February 27, 2014, in connection with our acquisition of an additional 9.9% interest in MMT, we recorded a $127 million note payable to the seller for the present value of the monthly installments, from March 2014 through December 2014.


16



Convertible Notes With Debt and Equity Components

Accounting standards for convertible debt instruments that may be fully or partially settled in cash upon conversion require the debt and equity components to be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects a nonconvertible borrowing rate when interest expense is recognized in subsequent periods. The amount initially recorded as debt is based on the fair value of the debt component as a standalone instrument, determined using an average interest rate for similar nonconvertible debt issued by entities with credit ratings similar to ours at the time of issuance. The difference between the debt recorded at inception and its principal amount is accreted to principal through interest expense through the estimated life of the note.

The terms of certain of our convertible notes give holders the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes at a date or dates earlier than the contractual maturity of the notes or upon the occurrence of certain events or circumstances. In these cases, we amortize any initial debt discount or imputed interest over the period from issuance of the notes through the earliest date that holders can require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes. As a result, the period of amortization can be significantly shorter than the contractual maturity. (See "Holder Put Date" in the table below.)

As of May 29, 2014, the trading price of our common stock was higher than the initial conversion prices of all of our outstanding convertible notes, except for the 2043G Notes. As a result, the conversion values were in excess of principal amounts for such notes. The following table summarizes certain features of our convertible notes as of May 29, 2014:

 
 
Holder Put Date
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Shares Issuable Upon Conversion
 
Initial Conversion Price Per Share
 
Conversion Price Per Share Threshold(1)
 
Conversion Value
in Excess of Principal(2)
2031B Notes
 
August 2020
 
$
114

 
12

 
$
9.50

 
$
12.35

 
$
229

2032C Notes
 
May 2019
 
390

 
41

 
9.63

 
12.52

 
769

2032D Notes
 
May 2021
 
374

 
37

 
9.98

 
12.97

 
696

2033E Notes
 
February 2018
 
300

 
27

 
10.93

 
14.21

 
484

2033F Notes
 
February 2020
 
300

 
27

 
10.93

 
14.21

 
484

2043G Notes(3)
 
November 2028
 
1,025

 
35

 
29.16

 
37.91

 

 
 
 
 
$
2,503

 
179

 
 
 
 
 
$
2,662

(1) 
Holders have the right to convert all or a portion of their notes at a date or dates earlier than the contractual maturity if, during any calendar quarter, the closing price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the initial conversion price.
(2) 
Based on our closing share price of $28.58 as of May 29, 2014.
(3) 
The original principal amount of $820 million accretes up to $917 million in November 2028 and $1.03 billion at maturity in 2043.

Contractual Maturities

The table below sets forth the contractual maturities of the MMJ creditor installment payments, convertible notes and other notes payable:

As of
 
May 29,
2014
Remainder of 2014
 
$
106

2015
 
516

2016
 
441

2017
 
410

2018
 
609

2019 and thereafter
 
3,348

Discounts
 
(753
)
 
 
$
4,677



17




Contingencies

We have accrued a liability and charged operations for the estimated costs of adjudication or settlement of various asserted and unasserted claims existing as of the balance sheet date, including those described below. We are currently a party to other legal actions arising from the normal course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Rambus

On May 5, 2004, Rambus, Inc. ("Rambus") filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California (San Francisco County) against us and other DRAM suppliers which alleged that the defendants harmed Rambus by engaging in concerted and unlawful efforts affecting Rambus DRAM by eliminating competition and stifling innovation in the market for computer memory technology and computer memory chips.  Rambus' complaint alleged various causes of action under California state law including, among other things, a conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices, a conspiracy to monopolize, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition. Rambus sought a judgment for damages of approximately $3.9 billion, joint and several liability, trebling of damages awarded, punitive damages, a permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from the conduct alleged in the complaint, interest, and attorneys' fees and costs. Trial began on June 20, 2011, and the case went to the jury on September 21, 2011. On November 16, 2011, the jury found for us on all claims. On April 2, 2012, Rambus filed a notice of appeal to the California 1st District Court of Appeal.

We were engaged in litigation with Rambus relating to certain of Rambus' patents and certain of our claims and defenses. Our lawsuits with Rambus related to patent matters were pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Germany, France, and Italy.

In December 2013, we settled all pending litigation between us and Rambus, including all antitrust and patent matters.  We also entered into a 7-year term patent cross-license agreement with Rambus that allows us to avoid costs of patent-related litigation during the term.  We agreed to pay Rambus up to $10 million per quarter over seven years, for a total of $280 million, beginning in the second quarter of 2014.  The primary benefits we received from these arrangements were (1) the settlement and termination of all existing litigation, (2) the avoidance of future litigation expenses and (3) the avoidance of future management and customer disruptions.  As a result, other operating expense for the first quarter of 2014 included a $233 million charge to accrue a liability, which reflects the discounted value of amounts due under this arrangement.

Patent Matters

As is typical in the semiconductor and other high technology industries, from time to time others have asserted, and may in the future assert, that our products or manufacturing processes infringe their intellectual property rights.

On September 1, 2011, HSM Portfolio LLC and Technology Properties Limited LLC filed a patent infringement action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against us and seventeen other defendants, including MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc.  On August 22, 2013, the plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint. The third amended complaint alleges that certain of our DRAM and image sensor products infringe four U.S. patents and that certain MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. DRAM products infringe two U.S. patents and seeks damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Trial currently is scheduled for January 25, 2016. On March 23, 2012, MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. filed a Notice of Filing and Hearing on Petition Under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and Issuance of Provisional Relief that included an order of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware staying judicial proceedings against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. Accordingly, the plaintiffs' case against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) was stayed.  On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware entered its Order (1) Granting Recognition of the Japanese Reorganization Plan of MMJ and the Tokyo District Court's Confirmation Orders, (2) Entrusting MMJ's U.S. Assets to Foreign Representatives and Approving Certain Plan Transactions, (3) Granting Permanent Injunction, and (4) Granting Related Relief (the "Recognition Order").  Pursuant to the Recognition Order, the plaintiffs are permanently enjoined from continuing their case against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. in respect of any claim or claims arising prior to the commencement of the Japan Proceeding (as defined in the Recognition Order).


18



On December 5, 2011, the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois (the "University") filed a patent infringement action against us in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. The complaint alleges that unspecified semiconductor products of ours infringe three U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. We have filed three petitions for inter-partes review by the Patent and Trademark Office, challenging the validity of each of the patents in suit. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board ("PTAB") held a hearing in connection with the three petitions on December 9, 2013. On March 10, 2014, the PTAB issued written decisions finding that each and every claim in the three patents in suit is invalid, and cancelled all claims. The University has appealed the PTAB rulings to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

On April 27, 2012, Semcon Tech, LLC filed a patent infringement action against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges that our use of various chemical mechanical planarization systems purchased from Applied Materials infringes a single U.S. patent and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Trial is currently scheduled for August 21, 2015.

On December 7, 2007, Tessera, Inc. filed a patent infringement against MMJ, Elpida Memory (USA) Inc., and numerous other defendants, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges that certain MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. products infringe four U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Prior to answering the complaint, MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. and other defendants filed motions to stay the case pending final resolution of a case before the International Trade Commission ("ITC") against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. and other respondents, alleging infringement of the same patents asserted in the Eastern District of Texas case (In The Matter of Certain Semiconductor Chips with Minimized Chip Package Size and Products Containing Same (III), ITC No. 337-TA-630 (the "ITC Action")). On February 25, 2008, the Eastern District of Texas Court granted the defendants' motion to stay the action. On December 29, 2009, the ITC issued a Notice of Final Determination in the ITC Action finding no violation by MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. Tessera, Inc. subsequently appealed the matter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On May 23, 2011, the Federal Circuit affirmed the ITC's Final Determination. The Eastern District of Texas case currently remains stayed by order of the Eastern District of Texas Court. Additionally, by operation of the Recognition Order, plaintiff in that action is permanently enjoined from continuing its case against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) in respect of any claim or claims arising prior to the commencement of the Japan Proceeding (as defined in the Recognition Order).

Among other things, the above lawsuits pertain to certain of our DDR, DDR2, DDR3, SDR SDRAM, PSRAM, RLDRAM, LPSDR, NAND Flash, image sensor products and certain other memory products we manufacture, which account for a significant portion of our net sales.

We are unable to predict the outcome of assertions of infringement made against us and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. A determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others or entering into a license agreement covering such intellectual property could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our products and/or manufacturing processes. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Antitrust Matters

At least sixty-eight purported class action price-fixing lawsuits have been filed against us and other DRAM suppliers in various federal and state courts in the United States and in Puerto Rico on behalf of indirect purchasers alleging a conspiracy to increase DRAM prices in violation of federal and state antitrust laws and state unfair competition law, and/or unjust enrichment relating to the sale and pricing of DRAM products during the period from April 1999 through at least June 2002. The complaints seek joint and several damages, trebled, in addition to restitution, costs and attorneys' fees. A number of these cases were removed to federal court and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for consolidated pre-trial proceedings. In July 2006, the Attorneys General for approximately forty U.S. states and territories filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaints allege, among other things, violations of the Sherman Act, Cartwright Act, and certain other states' consumer protection and antitrust laws and seek joint and several damages, trebled, as well as injunctive and other relief. On October 3, 2008, the California Attorney General filed a similar lawsuit in California Superior Court, purportedly on behalf of local California government entities, alleging, among other things, violations of the Cartwright Act and state unfair competition law. On June 23, 2010, we executed a settlement agreement resolving these purported class-action indirect purchaser cases and the pending cases of the Attorneys General relating to alleged DRAM price-fixing in the United States. Subject to certain conditions, we agreed to pay approximately $67 million in aggregate in three equal installments over a two-year period. We paid the full amount into an escrow account by the end of the first quarter of 2013 in accordance with the settlement agreement.


19



On June 21, 2010, the Brazil Secretariat of Economic Law of the Ministry of Justice ("SDE") announced that it had initiated an investigation relating to alleged anticompetitive activities within the DRAM industry. The SDE's Notice of Investigation names various DRAM manufacturers and certain executives, including us, and focuses on the period from July 1998 to June 2002.

We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss, except as noted in the above discussion of the U.S. indirect purchaser cases. The final resolution of these alleged violations of antitrust laws could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Securities Matters

On July 12, 2013, seven former shareholders of Elpida (now known as MMJ) filed a complaint against Messrs. Sakamoto, Adachi, Gomi, Shirai, Tsay-Jiu, Wataki, Kinoshita, and Takahasi in their capacity as members of the board of directors of MMJ as of February 2013. The complaint alleges that the defendants engaged in various acts and misrepresentations to hide the financial condition of MMJ and deceive shareholders prior to MMJ filing a petition for corporate reorganization on February 27, 2013. The plaintiffs seek joint and several damages equal to the market value of shares owned by each of the plaintiffs on February 23, 2013, along with attorneys' fees and interest. At a hearing on September 25, 2013, the plaintiffs withdrew the complaint against Mr. Tsay-Jiu.

We are unable to predict the outcome of this matter and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss.  The final resolution of this matter could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Qimonda

On January 20, 2011, Dr. Michael Jaffé, administrator for Qimonda AG ("Qimonda") insolvency proceedings, filed suit against Micron Technology, Inc. ("Micron Technology") and Micron Semiconductor B.V., our Netherlands subsidiary ("Micron B.V."), in the District Court of Munich, Civil Chamber. The complaint seeks to void under Section 133 of the German Insolvency Act a share purchase agreement between Micron B.V. and Qimonda signed in fall 2008 pursuant to which Micron B.V. purchased substantially all of Qimonda's shares of Inotera Memories, Inc. (the "Inotera Shares") and seeks an order requiring us to retransfer those shares to the Qimonda estate. The complaint also seeks, among other things, to recover damages for the alleged value of the joint venture relationship with Inotera and to terminate under Sections 103 or 133 of the German Insolvency Code a patent cross-license between us and Qimonda entered into at the same time as the share purchase agreement.

Following a series of hearings with pleadings, arguments and witnesses on behalf of the Qimonda estate, on March 13, 2014, the Court issued judgments:  (1) ordering Micron B.V. to pay approximately $1 million in respect of certain Inotera shares sold in connection with the original share purchase; (2) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose certain information with respect to any Inotera Shares sold by it to third parties; (3) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose the benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares, including in particular, any profits distributed on such shares and all other benefits; (4) denying Qimonda’s claims against Micron Technology for any damages relating to the joint venture relationship with Inotera; and (5) determining that Qimonda's obligations under the patent cross-license agreement are cancelled. In addition, the Court issued interlocutory judgments ordering, among other things:  (1) that Micron B.V. transfer to the Qimonda estate the Inotera Shares still owned by it and pay to the Qimonda estate compensation in an amount to be specified for any Inotera Shares sold to third parties; and (2) that Micron B.V. pay the Qimonda estate as compensation an amount to be specified for benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares. The interlocutory judgments have no immediate, enforceable effect on us, and, accordingly, we expect to be able to continue to operate with full control of the Inotera Shares subject to further developments in the case. We have filed a notice of appeal, and the parties are in the process of submitting briefs to the appeals court.

We are unable to predict the outcome of the matter and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. The final resolution of this lawsuit could result in the loss of the Inotera Shares or equivalent monetary damages, unspecified damages based on the benefits derived by Micron B.V. from the ownership of the Inotera Shares, and/or the termination of the patent cross-license, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation or financial condition.  As of May 29, 2014, the Inotera Shares had a carrying value for purposes of our financial reporting of $381 million and a market value of $1.66 billion.


20



Other

In the normal course of business, we are a party to a variety of agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these types of agreements due to the conditional nature of our obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, our payments under these types of agreements have not had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.


Redeemable Convertible Notes

Under the terms of the indentures of the 2031B, 2033E and 2033F Notes, upon conversion, we would be required to pay cash equal to the lesser amount of (1) the aggregate principal amount or (2) the conversion value of the notes being converted (we could pay cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof, at our option, for the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation). Additionally, the 2031B, 2033E and 2033F Notes were convertible at the option of the holders as of May 29, 2014. Therefore, the 2031B, 2033E and 2033F Notes were classified as current debt and the aggregate difference of $88 million between the principal amount and the carrying value was classified as redeemable convertible notes in the mezzanine section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of May 29, 2014. (See "Debt" note.)


Equity

Changes in the components of equity were as follows:

 
 
Nine Months Ended May 29, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended May 30, 2013
 
 
Attributable to Micron
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
Total Equity
 
Attributable to Micron
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
Total Equity
Beginning balance
 
$
9,142

 
$
864

 
$
10,006

 
$
7,700

 
$
717

 
$
8,417

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
1,895

 
33

 
1,928

 
(518
)
 
2

 
(516
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(19
)
 

 
(19
)
 
(11
)
 
1

 
(10
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
1,876

 
33

 
1,909

 
(529
)
 
3

 
(526
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contribution from noncontrolling interests
 

 
59

 
59

 

 
11

 
11

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 

 
(19
)
 
(19
)
 

 
(33
)
 
(33
)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in MMT
 
34

 
(180
)
 
(146
)
 

 

 

Capital and other transactions attributable to Micron
 
(1,112
)
 

 
(1,112
)
 
157

 

 
157

Ending balance
 
$
9,940

 
$
757

 
$
10,697

 
$
7,328

 
$
698

 
$
8,026


Micron Shareholders' Equity

Capped Calls

Issued and Outstanding Capped Calls: We have entered into a series of capped call transactions intended to reduce the effect of potential dilution upon conversion of our convertible notes which may be settled in shares or cash, at our election. The capped call transactions are considered capital transactions and the related cost was recorded as a charge to additional capital.

21




The following table presents information related to the issued and outstanding capped calls as of May 29, 2014.

Capped Calls
 

 
 
 
Strike Price
 
Cap Price Range
 
Underlying Common Shares
 
Value at Expiration(1)
 
Expiration Dates
 
 
Low
 
High
 
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
2031
 
Jul 2015
 -
Feb 2016
 
$
9.50

 
$
12.67

 
$
13.17

 
34

 
$

 
$
117

2032C
 
May 2016
 -
Nov 2017
 
9.80

 
14.26

 
15.69

 
56

 

 
307

2032D
 
Nov 2016
 -
May 2018
 
10.16

 
14.62

 
16.04

 
44

 

 
244

2033E
 
Jan 2018
 -
Feb 2018
 
10.93

 
14.51

 
14.51

 
27

 

 
98

2033F
 
Jan 2020
 -
Feb 2020
 
10.93

 
14.51

 
14.51

 
27

 

 
98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
188

 
$

 
$
864

(1) 
Settlement in cash on the respective expiration dates would result in us receiving an amount ranging from zero, if the market price per share of our common stock is at or below the low strike price, to the maximum amount if the market price per share of our common stock is at or above the high cap price. If share settlement were elected, the number of shares received would be determined by the value of the capped calls at the time of settlement divided by the share price on the settlement date. Settlement of the capped calls prior to the expiration dates may be for an amount less than the maximum value at expiration.

Unwind of Capped Calls: In connection with the issuance in July 2011 of the 2031 Notes, we entered into capped call transactions (the "2031 Capped Calls"). In May 2014, we and the counterparties agreed to terminate and unwind a portion of our 2031 Capped Calls. We elected share settlement and received 3 million shares, equivalent to approximately $86 million based on the trading stock price at the time of the unwind, which were retired from treasury stock in the third quarter of 2014.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the first nine months of 2014 were as follows:

 
 
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments, Net
 
Gains (Losses) on Investments, Net
 
Pension Liability Adjustments
 
Total
Balance at August 29, 2013
 
$
44

 
$
21

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
63

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
 
(17
)
 
(2
)
 
5

 
1

 
(13
)
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
1

 
(5
)
Tax effects
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(17
)
 
(6
)
 
2

 
2

 
(19
)
Balance at May 29, 2014
 
$
27

 
$
15

 
$
2

 
$

 
$
44



22



Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries

As of
 
May 29, 2014
 
August 29, 2013
 
 
Noncontrolling Interest Balance
 
Noncontrolling Interest Percentage
 
Noncontrolling Interest Balance
 
Noncontrolling Interest Percentage
IMFT(1)
 
$
650

 
49
%
 
$
601

 
49
%
MP Mask(1)
 
93

 
50
%
 
92

 
50
%
MMT
 
9

 
<1%

 
155

 
11
%
Other
 
5

 
Various

 
16

 
Various

 
 
$
757

 
 
 
$
864

 
 
(1) Entity is a variable interest entity.

IMFT

Since inception in 2006 through May 29, 2014, we have owned 51% of IMFT, a joint venture between us and Intel to manufacture NAND Flash memory products and certain emerging memory technologies, for the exclusive use of the members. IMFT is governed by a Board of Managers and the number of managers appointed by each member to the board varies based on the members' respective ownership interests, which is based on cumulative contributions to IMFT. The IMFT joint venture agreement extends through 2024 and includes certain buy-sell rights, commencing in January 2015, pursuant to which Intel may elect to sell to us, or we may elect to purchase from Intel, Intel's interest in IMFT. If Intel elects to sell to us, we would set the closing date of the transaction within two years following such election and could elect to receive financing of the purchase price from Intel for one to two years from the closing date.

IMFT manufactures NAND Flash memory products using designs and technology we develop with Intel. We generally share with Intel the costs of product design, other NAND Flash R&D costs and R&D costs of certain emerging memory technologies. Our R&D expenses were reduced by reimbursements from Intel of $36 million and $100 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $33 million and $99 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively.

We sell a portion of our products to Intel through our IMFT venture at long-term negotiated prices approximating cost. Sales of NAND Flash products to Intel under this arrangement were $107 million and $312 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $89 million and $279 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively. Receivables from Intel for IMFT sales of NAND Flash products as of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, were $66 million and $68 million, respectively.


23



The following table presents the assets and liabilities of IMFT included in our consolidated balance sheets:

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
 
$
84

 
$
62

Receivables
 
72

 
76

Inventories
 
50

 
49

Other current assets
 
4

 
4

Total current assets
 
210

 
191

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
1,463

 
1,382

Other noncurrent assets
 
47

 
46

Total assets
 
$
1,720

 
$
1,619

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
170

 
$
88

Deferred income
 
9

 
9

Equipment purchase contracts
 
8

 
78

Current debt
 
6

 
6

Total current liabilities
 
193

 
181

Long-term debt
 
8

 
13

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
112

 
118

Total liabilities
 
$
313

 
$
312

Amounts exclude intercompany balances that were eliminated in our consolidated balance sheets.

Our ability to access IMFT's cash and other assets through cash dividends, loans or advances, including to finance our other operations, is subject to agreement by Intel. Creditors of IMFT have recourse only to its assets and do not have recourse to any other of our assets.

The following table presents IMFT's distributions to and contributions from its shareholders:

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
IMFT distributions to Micron
 
$

 
$
34

 
$
10

 
$
34

IMFT distributions to Intel
 

 
33

 
10

 
33

Micron contributions to IMFT
 
10

 
2

 
61

 
12

Intel contributions to IMFT
 
10

 
1

 
59

 
11


MP Mask

In 2006, we formed a joint venture with Photronics to produce photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors.  At inception and through May 29, 2014, we owned approximately 50% and Photronics owned approximately 50% of MP Mask. We purchase a substantial majority of the photomasks produced by MP Mask pursuant to a supply arrangement.


24



The following table presents the assets and liabilities of MP Mask included in our consolidated balance sheets:

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Current assets
 
$
34

 
$
26

Noncurrent assets (primarily property, plant and equipment)
 
209

 
182

Current liabilities
 
46

 
25

Noncurrent liabilities
 
15

 

Amounts exclude intercompany balances that were eliminated in our consolidated balance sheets.

Creditors of MP Mask have recourse only to the assets of MP Mask and do not have recourse to any other of our assets.

MMT

As of August 29, 2013, noncontrolling interests in MMT was 11%. In the second and third quarters of 2014, we purchased additional shares of MMT's outstanding common stock from the noncontrolling shareholders for $146 million, and as of May 29, 2014, noncontrolling interests in MMT were less than 1%. Substantially all of the MMT shares purchased in the second quarter of 2014 were financed with a short-term loan from a seller. (See "Debt – Other Notes Payable" note.) As a result of the purchases of MMT shares in the second and third quarters of 2014, in aggregate, noncontrolling interests decreased by $180 million and additional capital increased by $34 million.


Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments to manage a portion of our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and variable interest rates.  We also had convertible note settlement obligations which became derivative instruments as a result of our elections to settle conversions in cash. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivative Instruments without Hedge Accounting Designation

Currency Derivatives: We use derivative instruments to manage a portion of our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates from our monetary assets and liabilities. Our primary objective in entering into currency derivatives is to reduce the volatility that changes in currency exchange rates have on our earnings.

To hedge our exposures to monetary assets and liabilities, we generally utilize a rolling hedge strategy with currency forward contracts that mature within 35 days.  At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are remeasured in U.S. dollars and the associated outstanding forward contracts are marked-to-market.  Currency forward contracts are measured at fair values based on the middle of bid and ask prices of dealers or exchange quotations (Level 2 fair value measurements). In connection with currency exchange rate risk associated with the MMJ Acquisition in July 2013, we entered into currency exchange transactions (the "MMJ Acquisition Hedges"). The MMJ Acquisition Hedges were not designated for hedge accounting and were remeasured at fair value each period. We recorded losses from the MMJ Acquisition Hedges of $47 million and $225 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively. To mitigate the risk of the yen strengthening against the U.S. dollar on MMJ creditor installment payments due in December 2014 and December 2015, we entered into forward contracts to purchase 20 billion yen on November 28, 2014 and 10 billion yen on November 27, 2015.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on currency derivatives without hedge accounting designation as well as the change in the underlying monetary assets and liabilities due to changes in currency exchange rates are included in other non-operating income (expense).


25



Interest Rate Swaps: We are party to interest rate swap contracts that mature in August 2017 to hedge against the variability of future interest payments due on floating-rate debt, which effectively converts the floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. Our primary objective of entering into interest rate swap contracts is to reduce the volatility that changes in interest rates on floating-rate debt have on our earnings. As of May 29, 2014, the principle balance on the floating-rate debt was $254 million. We designated 80% of the swaps as cash flow hedges and the remaining 20% were not designated for hedge accounting treatment. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows based on inputs that are readily available in publicly quoted markets (Level 2 fair value measurements). Changes in the fair value of the undesignated portion are included in interest expense.

Convertible Notes Settlement Obligations: In connection with our debt restructure activities in the first nine months of 2014, holders elected to convert substantially all of the outstanding 2014 Notes, 2027 Notes and 2031A Notes. As a result of our elections to settle the conversion amounts in cash, each of the settlement obligations became derivative debt liabilities subject to mark-to-market accounting treatment for a period of approximately 30 days, beginning on the date we notified the holder of our intention to settle the obligation in cash through the settlement date. The fair values of the underlying derivative settlement obligations were initially determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model (Level 2 fair value measurements). The Black-Scholes model requires the input of assumptions, including the stock price, expected stock-price volatility, estimated option life, risk-free interest rate and dividend rate. The subsequent measurements and final settlement amounts of our convertible notes settlement obligations were based on the volume-weighted average stock price (Level 1 fair value measurements). Changes in fair values of the derivative settlement obligations were included in other non-operating income (expense), net.

Total gross notional amounts and fair values for derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation were as follows:

 
 
Notional Amount
(in U.S. dollars)
 
Fair Value of
Current Assets(1)
 
Noncurrent Assets(2)
 
Current Liabilities(3)
 
Noncurrent Liabilities(4)
As of May 29, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency forward contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yen
 
$
309

 
$

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(4
)
Singapore dollar
 
279

 

 

 

 

Euro
 
80

 

 

 
(1
)
 

Shekel
 
56

 

 

 

 

New Taiwan dollar
 
14

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap contracts
 
51

 

 

 

 


 
$
789

 
$

 
$

 
$
(7
)
 
$
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of August 29, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency forward contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yen
 
$
336

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$

 
$

Singapore dollar
 
218

 

 

 

 

Euro
 
217

 
1

 

 
(1
)
 

Shekel
 
78

 

 

 
(1
)
 

Interest rate swap contracts
 
62

 

 

 

 

Currency options New Taiwan dollar
 
351

 

 

 

 

 
 
$
1,262

 
$
2

 
$
3

 
$
(2
)
 
$

(1)
Included in receivables – other.
(2) 
Included in other noncurrent assets.
(3) 
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses – other.
(4) 
Included in other noncurrent liabilities.


26



Net gains (losses) for derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation were as follows:

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
Line Item in Statements of Operations
Convertible notes settlement obligations
 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(54
)
 
$

 
Other non-operating income (expense)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
2

 
(50
)
 
(19
)
 
(223
)
 
Other non-operating income (expense)

Derivative Instruments with Cash Flow Hedge Accounting Designation

Currency Derivatives: We utilize currency forward contracts that generally mature within 12 months and currency options that generally mature from 12 to 18 months to hedge our exposure to changes in cash flows from changes in currency exchange rates for certain capital expenditures and forecasted operating cash flows.  Currency forward contracts are measured at fair value based on market-based observable inputs including currency exchange spot and forward rates, interest rate and credit risk spread (Level 2 fair value measurements).  Currency options are measured at fair value using a modified Black-Scholes option valuation model using inputs of the current spot rate, strike price, risk-free interest rate, maturity, volatility and credit-risk spread (Level 2 fair value measurements).

Interest Rate Swaps: As noted above in "Derivative Instruments without Hedge Designation – Interest Rate Swaps," we are party to interest rate swap contracts that mature in August 2017 to hedge against the variability in future interest payments due on $254 million of floating-rate debt and we designated 80% of the swaps as cash flow hedges.

For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the realized and unrealized gain or loss on the derivatives is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified into earnings in the same line items of the consolidated statements of operation and in the same periods in which the underlying transactions affect earnings. The ineffective or excluded portion of the realized and unrealized gain or loss is included in other non-operating income (expense).  Total gross notional amounts and fair values for derivative instruments with cash flow hedge accounting designation were as follows:

 
 
Notional Amount 
(in U.S. dollars)
 
Fair Value of Current Liabilities (1)
As of May 29, 2014
 
 
 
 
Currency forward contracts:
 
 
 
 
Yen
 
$
45

 
$

Euro
 
9

 

Interest swap contracts
 
203

 
(1
)
 
 
$
257

 
$
(1
)
As of August 29, 2013
 
 

 
 

Currency forward contracts:
 
 
 
 
Yen
 
$
6

 
$
(1
)
Euro
 
6

 

Interest swap contracts
 
250

 

Currency options – Yen
 
21

 
(2
)
 
 
$
283

 
$
(3
)
(1) 
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses – other.


27



For the first nine months of 2014, we recognized $2 million of losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from the effective portion of cash flow hedges.  For the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, we recognized $3 million and $9 million, respectively, of losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from the effective portion of cash flow hedges.  The ineffective and excluded portions of cash flow hedges recognized in other non-operating income (expense) were not significant for the third quarters and first nine months of 2014 and 2013.  In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, gains of $3 million and $2 million, respectively, were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings. As of May 29, 2014, $7 million of gains from cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months.

Derivative Counterparty Credit Risk and Master Netting Arrangements

Our derivative instruments expose us to credit risk to the extent the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the derivative instrument.  As of May 29, 2014, our maximum exposure to loss due to credit risk if counterparties fail to perform according to the terms of the contracts was generally equal to the fair value of our assets for these contracts as listed in the tables above.  We seek to mitigate such risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions and by spreading risk across multiple financial institutions.  In addition, we monitor the potential risk of loss with any one counterparty resulting from this type of credit risk on an ongoing basis.

We seek to enter into master netting arrangements with our counterparties to mitigate credit risk in derivative hedge transactions. These master netting arrangements allow us and our counterparties to net settle amounts owed to each other. Derivative assets and liabilities that can be net settled with each counterparty under these arrangements have been presented in our consolidated balance sheet on a net basis. As of May 29, 2014, amounts netted were not significant.


Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards establish three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (referred to as Level 1), inputs other than Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly (referred to as Level 2) and unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities (referred to as Level 3). There were no significant Level 3 fair value measurements for the periods presented.


28



Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

All marketable debt and equity investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

As of
 
May 29, 2014
 
August 29, 2013
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
 
$
370

 
$

 
$
370

 
$
1,188

 
$

 
$
1,188

Certificates of deposit
 

 
280

 
280

 

 
38

 
38

Government securities
 

 
5

 
5

 

 

 

Commercial paper
 

 
5

 
5

 

 
35

 
35

 
 
370

 
290

 
660

 
1,188

 
73

 
1,261

Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds
 

 
114

 
114

 

 
112

 
112

Government securities
 

 
58

 
58

 

 
72

 
72

Commercial paper
 

 
20

 
20

 

 
26

 
26

Certificates of deposit
 

 
8

 
8

 

 
9

 
9

Asset-backed securities
 

 
2

 
2

 

 
2

 
2

 
 

 
202

 
202

 

 
221

 
221

Long-term marketable investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds
 

 
332

 
332

 

 
302

 
302

Asset-backed securities
 

 
115

 
115

 

 
95

 
95

Government securities
 

 
95

 
95

 

 
96

 
96

Certificates of deposit
 

 
2

 
2

 

 

 

Marketable equity securities
 
1

 

 
1

 
6

 

 
6

 
 
1

 
544

 
545

 
6

 
493

 
499

Restricted cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of deposit
 

 
4

 
4

 

 
302

 
302

 
 

 
4

 
4

 

 
302

 
302

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
371

 
$
1,040

 
$
1,411

 
$
1,194

 
$
1,089

 
$
2,283


Government securities consist of securities issued directly by or deemed to be guaranteed by government entities such as U.S. and non U.S. agency securities, government bonds and treasury securities. Level 2 securities are valued using information obtained from pricing services, which obtain quoted market prices for similar instruments, non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, or various other methodologies, to determine the appropriate value at the measurement date. We perform supplemental analysis to validate information obtained from our pricing services. As of May 29, 2014, no adjustments were made to such pricing information.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Amounts reported as cash and equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value. The estimated fair value and carrying value of debt instruments (carrying value excludes the equity components of our convertible notes, which are classified in equity) were as follows:

As of
 
May 29, 2014
 
August 29, 2013
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
Convertible notes
 
$
5,445

 
$
1,906

 
$
4,167

 
$
2,506

MMJ creditor installment payments and other notes
2,861

 
2,771

 
2,269

 
2,279



29



The fair values of our convertible notes were determined based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on similar debt issued by parties with credit ratings similar to ours (Level 2).  The fair value of our other debt instruments was estimated based on discounted cash flows using inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including interest rates based on similar debt issued by parties with credit ratings similar to ours (Level 2).


Equity Plans

As of May 29, 2014, we had an aggregate of 164 million shares of common stock reserved for the issuance of stock options and restricted stock awards, of which 64 million shares were subject to outstanding awards and 100 million shares were available for future awards.  Awards are subject to terms and conditions as determined by our Board of Directors.

Stock Options

Stock options granted and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model are presented below:

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Stock options granted
 
1

 

 
12

 
18

Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share
 
$
11.35

 
$
4.79

 
$
9.38

 
$
3.29

Average expected life in years
 
5.7

 
4.8

 
4.9

 
5.1

Weighted-average expected volatility
 
52
%
 
55
%
 
48
%
 
60
%
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate
 
1.8
%
 
0.7
%
 
1.6
%
 
0.7
%

The fair values of option awards were estimated at each grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Black-Scholes model requires the input of assumptions, including the expected stock-price volatility and estimated option life.  The expected volatilities utilized were based on implied volatilities from traded options on our stock and on historical volatility.  The expected lives of options granted were based, in part, on historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the options.  The risk-free interest rates utilized were based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at each grant date.  No dividends were assumed in estimated option values.  

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units ("Restricted Stock Awards")

As of May 29, 2014, there were 13 million shares of Restricted Stock Awards outstanding, of which 1 million were performance-based Restricted Stock Awards.  For service-based Restricted Stock Awards, restrictions generally lapse in one-fourth increments during each year of employment after the grant date.  Restricted Stock Awards granted are presented below:

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Restricted stock awards granted
 

 

 
7

 
7

Weighted-average grant-date fair values per share
 
$
22.73

 
$
9.97

 
$
21.39

 
$
6.21



30



Stock-based Compensation Expense

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Stock-based compensation expense by caption:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
12

 
$
7

 
$
27

 
$
20

Selling, general and administrative
 
12

 
10

 
36

 
28

Research and development
 
7

 
4

 
17

 
13

  Other
 
1

 

 
1

 

 
 
$
32

 
$
21

 
$
81

 
$
61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
 
$
16

 
$
14

 
$
44

 
$
41

Restricted stock awards
 
16

 
7

 
37

 
20

 
 
$
32

 
$
21

 
$
81

 
$
61


As of May 29, 2014, $292 million of total unrecognized compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested awards was expected to be recognized through the third quarter of 2018, resulting in a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. Stock-based compensation expense in the above presentation does not reflect any significant income tax benefits, which is consistent with our treatment of income or loss from our U.S. operations.  (See "Income Taxes" note.)


Restructure and Asset Impairments

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Loss (gain) on impairment of MIT assets
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$
62

Loss (gain) on impairment of LED assets
 
(3
)
 
25

 
(6
)
 
29

Loss on restructure of ST consortium agreement
 

 
26

 

 
26

Gain on termination of lease to Transform
 

 

 

 
(25
)
Other
 
12

 
4

 
29

 
2

 
 
$
9

 
$
55

 
$
18

 
$
94


For the first nine months of 2014, other restructure included an aggregate of approximately $30 million associated with our efforts to wind down our 200mm operations in Agrate, Italy and Kiryat Gat, Israel. We anticipate incurring restructure charges of $15 million to $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 for employee termination benefits in Italy.

For the third quarter of 2013, we recognized charges of $25 million, primarily to impair certain production assets used in the development of LED technology, and $26 million in connection with the restructure of a consortium agreement with STMicroelectronics S.r.l. ("ST"), whereby certain assets and approximately 500 employees from our Agrate, Italy fabrication facility were transferred to ST. For the first nine months of 2013, we also recognized a charge of $62 million to impair the assets of Micron Technology Italia, S.r.l. ("MIT"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to their estimated fair values in connection with the sale of MIT to LFoundry Marsica S.r.l. and a gain of $25 million related to the termination of a lease with Transform Solar Pty Ltd., an equity method investee, to a portion of our manufacturing facilities in Boise, Idaho.


Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

On December 9, 2013, we settled all pending litigation between us and Rambus, including all antitrust and patent matters.  Other operating expense for the first nine months of 2014 included a $233 million charge to accrue a liability, which reflects the discounted value of amounts due under the arrangement. (See "Contingencies" note.)

31





Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Loss on restructure of debt
 
$
(16
)
 
$

 
$
(171
)
 
$
(31
)
Gain (loss) from changes in currency exchange rates
 
(5
)
 
(45
)
 
(25
)
 
(231
)
Adjustment to gain on MMJ Acquisition
 

 

 
(33
)
 

Other
 

 

 
6

 
(1
)
 
 
$
(21
)
 
$
(45
)
 
$
(223
)
 
$
(263
)

Loss on restructure of debt for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 resulted from a series of transactions with holders of certain of our convertible notes. (See "Debt – Debt Restructure" note.) Loss on restructure of debt for the first nine months of 2013 included a $31 million charge associated with a cash repurchase of $464 million of aggregate principal amount of our 2014 Notes.

In the second quarter of 2014, the provisional amounts recorded in connection with our MMJ Acquisition were adjusted, primarily for pre-petition liabilities. As a result, we recorded a non-operating expense of $33 million in the second quarter of 2014 for these measurement period adjustments. (See "Micron Memory Japan, Inc." note.)

Gain (loss) from changes in currency exchange rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 included currency losses of $47 million and $225 million, respectively, from changes in the market value of the MMJ Acquisition Hedges. (See "Derivative Instruments" note.)


Income Taxes

Income taxes for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 included $49 million and $177 million, respectively, related to the utilization of deferred tax assets as a result of MMJ's and MMT's operations.  Remaining taxes for the third quarters and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 primarily reflect taxes on our non-U.S. operations. We have a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax asset associated with our U.S. operations.  The provision (benefit) for taxes on U.S. operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was substantially offset by changes in the valuation allowance. As of May 29, 2014, we estimate an increase in unrecognized tax benefits for 2014 of approximately $110 million primarily related to transfer pricing matters. This increase is expected to be substantially offset by a change in our valuation allowance.

We currently operate in several tax jurisdictions where we have arrangements that allow us to compute our tax provision at rates below the local statutory rates. These arrangements expire in whole or in part at various dates through 2026.  These arrangements benefitted our tax provision for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 by $88 million ($0.07 per diluted share) and by $232 million ($0.19 per diluted share), respectively. These arrangements benefitted our tax provision for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 by $25 million ($0.02 per diluted share) and by $72 million ($0.07 per diluted share), respectively.




32



Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effects of equity awards and convertible notes.  Potential common shares that would increase earnings per share amounts or decrease loss per share amounts are antidilutive and are therefore excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations.  Antidilutive potential common shares that could dilute basic earnings per share in the future were 45 million and 43 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and 185 million and 374 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively.

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Net income (loss) available to Micron shareholders – Basic
 
$
806

 
$
43

 
$
1,895

 
$
(518
)
Dilutive effect related to equity method investment
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

Net income (loss) available to Micron shareholders – Diluted
 
$
805

 
$
43

 
$
1,894

 
$
(518
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
 
1,067

 
1,024

 
1,058

 
1,018

Dilutive effect of equity awards and convertible notes
 
123

 
23

 
138

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted
 
1,190

 
1,047

 
1,196

 
1,018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.76

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.79

 
$
(0.51
)
Diluted
 
0.68

 
0.04

 
1.58

 
(0.51
)


Segment Information

In the third quarter of 2014, we reorganized our business units. All prior period amounts reflect this reorganization. Factors used to identify our segments include, among others, markets, customers and products.  Segment information reported herein is consistent with how it is reviewed and evaluated by our chief operating decision makers. We have the following four reportable segments:

Compute and Networking Business Unit ("CNBU"): Includes DRAM and NOR Flash products sold to the compute, networking, graphics, and cloud server markets, as well as NAND Flash products sold primarily into the networking market.
Storage Business Unit ("SBU"): Includes NAND Flash components and Solid State Drives ("SSDs") sold into enterprise and client storage, and cloud and removable storage markets. SBU also includes NAND Flash products sold to Intel through our IMFT joint venture.
Mobile Business Unit ("MBU"): Includes DRAM, NAND Flash, and NOR Flash products sold to the smartphone, feature phone, and tablet mobile-device market.
Embedded Business Unit ("EBU"): Includes DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash products sold into automotive and industrial applications, as well as the connected home and consumer electronics markets.

Our other operations do not meet the thresholds of a reportable segment and are reported under All Other.

Certain operating expenses directly associated with the activities of a specific reportable segment are charged to that segment. Other indirect operating expenses (income) are generally allocated to the reportable segments based on their respective percentage of cost of goods sold or forecasted wafer production. The unallocated amount in the first nine months of 2014 related to the Rambus settlement.


33



We do not identify or report internally our assets or capital expenditures by segment, nor do we allocate gains and losses from equity method investments, interest, other non-operating income or expense items or taxes to operating segments.  There are no differences in the accounting policies for segment reporting and our consolidated results of operations.

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CNBU
 
$
1,857

 
$
902

 
$
5,436

 
$
2,244

SBU
 
867

 
725

 
2,573

 
2,044

MBU
 
757

 
269

 
2,717

 
744

EBU
 
467

 
338

 
1,298

 
925

All Other
 
34

 
84

 
107

 
273

 
 
$
3,982

 
$
2,318

 
$
12,131

 
$
6,230

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CNBU
 
$
531

 
$
129

 
$
1,462

 
$
1

SBU
 
55

 
55

 
228

 
127

MBU
 
135

 
(62
)
 
479

 
(212
)
EBU
 
96

 
56

 
254

 
174

All Other
 
22

 
(29
)
 
69

 
(61
)
Unallocated
 

 

 
(233
)
 

 
 
$
839

 
$
149

 
$
2,259

 
$
29



Certain Concentrations

Market Concentrations: Markets with a concentration of net sales were as follows:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 29,
2014
 
May 30,
2013
Compute and graphics
 
30
%
 
20
%
Mobile
 
20
%
 
10
%
Solid state drives and other storage
 
20
%
 
30
%
Automotive, industrial, medical and other embedded
 
10
%
 
15
%
Server
 
10
%
 
10
%

34



ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As used herein, "we," "our," "us" and similar terms refer to Micron Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. The following discussion contains trend information and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements such as those made in "Operating Expenses and Other" regarding SG&A expenses, R&D expenses and Restructure and Asset Impairments for the fourth quarter of 2014, regarding our expected gain in our fourth quarter of 2014 on Inotera's issuance of stock and regarding proceeds and gain from On Semiconductor's acquisition of our interest in Aptina; in "Liquidity and Capital Resources" regarding the sufficiency of our cash and investments, cash flows from operations and available financing to meet our requirements for at least the next 12 months, regarding our pursuit of additional financing and debt restructuring, regarding capital spending in 2014 and regarding the timing of payments for certain contractual obligations. Our actual results could differ materially from our historical results and those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those identified in "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors." This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended August 29, 2013. All period references are to our fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated. Our fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31 and fiscal 2014 and 2013 each contain 52 weeks. All production data includes the production of IMFT and Inotera. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions.

Our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. MD&A is organized as follows:

Overview:  An overview of our business and operations and highlights of key transactions and events.
Results of Operations:  An analysis of our financial results consisting of the following:
Consolidated results;
Operating results by business segment;
Operating results by product; and
Operating expenses and other.
Liquidity and Capital Resources:  An analysis of changes in our balance sheet and cash flows and discussion of our financial condition and potential sources of liquidity.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards


Overview

We are one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through our worldwide operations, we manufacture and market a full range of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash memory, as well as other innovative memory technologies, packaging solutions and semiconductor systems for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, automotive, industrial, embedded and mobile products. We market our products through our internal sales force, independent sales representatives and distributors primarily to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and retailers located around the world. Our success is largely dependent on the market acceptance of our diversified portfolio of semiconductor products, efficient utilization of our manufacturing infrastructure, successful ongoing development of advanced product and process technologies and generating a return on research and development ("R&D") investments.

We obtain products from three primary sources: (1) production from our wholly-owned manufacturing facilities, (2) production from our joint venture manufacturing facilities, and (3) to a lesser degree, from third party manufacturers. In recent years, we have increased our manufacturing scale and product diversity through strategic acquisitions and various partnering arrangements, including joint ventures.


35



We make significant investments to develop the proprietary product and process technologies that are implemented in our worldwide manufacturing facilities and through our joint ventures. These investments enable our production of semiconductor products with increasing functionality and performance at lower costs. We generally reduce the manufacturing cost of each generation of product through advancements in product and process technology such as our leading-edge line-width process technology and innovative array architecture. We continue to introduce new generations of products that offer improved performance characteristics, such as higher data transfer rates, reduced package size, lower power consumption, improved read/ write reliability and increased memory density. To leverage our significant investments in R&D, we have formed, and may continue to form, strategic joint ventures that allow us to share the costs of developing memory product and process technologies with joint venture partners. In addition, from time to time, we also sell and/or license technology to other parties. We continue to pursue additional opportunities to monetize our investment in intellectual property through partnering and other arrangements.

Business Segments

In the third quarter of 2014, we reorganized our business units. All prior period amounts reflect this reorganization. After the reorganization, we have the following four reportable segments:

Compute and Networking Business Unit ("CNBU"): Includes DRAM and NOR Flash products sold to the compute, networking, graphics, and cloud server markets, as well as NAND Flash products sold primarily into the networking market.
Storage Business Unit ("SBU"): Includes NAND Flash components and Solid State Drives ("SSDs") sold into enterprise and client storage, and cloud and removable storage markets. SBU also includes NAND Flash products sold to Intel through our IM Flash Technologies, LLC ("IMFT") joint venture.
Mobile Business Unit ("MBU"): Includes DRAM, NAND Flash, and NOR Flash products sold to the smartphone, feature phone, and tablet mobile-device market.
Embedded Business Unit ("EBU"): Includes DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash products sold into automotive and industrial applications, as well as the connected home and consumer electronics markets.

Our other operations do not meet the thresholds of a reportable segment and are reported under All Other.

Acquisition of Micron Memory Japan, Inc.

On July 31, 2013, we acquired Elpida Memory, Inc. ("Elpida"), now known as Micron Memory Japan, Inc. ("MMJ"), and 89% of Rexchip Electronics Corporation ("Rexchip''), now known as Micron Memory Taiwan Co., Ltd. ("MMT"), for an aggregate of $949 million in cash (collectively, the "MMJ Acquisition"). In the second and third quarters of 2014, we purchased an additional aggregate 10.6% of MMT's outstanding common stock, after which we owned 99.5% of the outstanding common stock of MMT. (See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Micron Memory Japan, Inc." note.)

MMJ's assets include, among others, a 300mm DRAM wafer fabrication facility located in Hiroshima, Japan and an assembly and test facility located in Akita, Japan. MMT's assets include a 300mm DRAM wafer fabrication facility in Taichung City, Taiwan. The MMJ and MMT fabrication facilities together represent approximately 30% of our wafer capacity. MMJ's semiconductor memory products include Mobile DRAM targeted toward mobile phones and tablets. MMJ's operations are included primarily in the MBU and CNBU segments. Our results of operations for the fourth quarter 2013 included approximately one month of operating results from the acquired MMJ operations. Our results of operations for the fourth quarter 2013 included a gain of $1.48 billion on the MMJ Acquisition. In the second quarter of 2014, the provisional amounts recorded in connection with the MMJ Acquisition were adjusted, primarily for pre-petition liabilities. As a result, other non-operating expense for the second quarter of 2014 included these measurement period adjustments of $33 million.


36



MMJ and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Micron Akita, Inc. ("MAI" and, together with MMJ, the "MMJ Companies") are currently subject to corporate reorganization proceedings under the Corporate Reorganization Act of Japan. Because the plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies provide for ongoing payments to creditors following the closing of the MMJ Acquisition, these proceedings are continuing, and the MMJ Companies remain subject to the oversight of the Tokyo District Court (the "Japan Court") and of the trustees appointed by the Japan Court (including a trustee designated by us, who we refer to as the business trustee, and a trustee designated by the Japan Court, who we refer to as the legal trustee), pending completion of the reorganization proceedings. As a result of this oversight and related consent rights of the Japan Court and the legal trustee, our ability to effectively integrate the MMJ Companies as part of our global operations or to cause the MMJ Companies to take certain actions that we deem advisable for their businesses could be adversely affected if the Japan Court or the legal trustee is unwilling to consent to various actions. For more information, see "Part II, Item 1. Legal Proceedings – Reorganization Proceedings of the MMJ Companies" and "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors."


Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2013
 
% of net sales
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2013
 
% of net sales
 
(dollar amounts in millions)
Net sales
$
3,982

 
100
 %
 
$
2,318

 
100
 %
 
$
4,107

 
100
 %
 
$
12,131

 
100
 %
 
$
6,230

 
100
 %
Cost of goods sold
2,614

 
66
 %
 
1,762

 
76
 %
 
2,704

 
66
 %
 
8,079

 
67
 %
 
5,091

 
82
 %
Gross margin
1,368

 
34
 %
 
556

 
24
 %
 
1,403

 
34
 %
 
4,052

 
33
 %
 
1,139

 
18
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A
174

 
4
 %
 
127

 
5
 %
 
177

 
4
 %
 
527

 
4
 %
 
369

 
6
 %
R&D
349

 
9
 %
 
226

 
10
 %
 
344

 
8
 %
 
1,013

 
8
 %
 
664

 
11
 %
Restructure and asset impairments
9

 
 %
 
55

 
2
 %
 
12

 
 %
 
18

 
 %
 
94

 
2
 %
Other operating (income) expense, net
(3
)
 
 %
 
(1
)
 
 %
 
1

 
 %
 
235

 
2
 %
 
(17
)
 
 %
Operating income
839

 
21
 %
 
149

 
6
 %
 
869

 
21
 %
 
2,259

 
19
 %
 
29

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
Interest income (expense), net
(75
)
 
(2
)%
 
(52
)
 
(2
)%
 
(77
)
 
(2
)%
 
(248
)
 
(2
)%
 
(159
)
 
(3
)%
Other non-operating income (expense), net
(21
)
 
(1
)%
 
(45
)
 
(2
)%
 
(122
)
 
(3
)%
 
(223
)
 
(2
)%
 
(263
)
 
(4
)%
Income tax (provision) benefit
(72
)
 
(2
)%
 
1

 
 %
 
(63
)
 
(2
)%
 
(215
)
 
(2
)%
 
(3
)
 
 %
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees
135

 
3
 %
 
(10
)
 
 %
 
134

 
3
 %
 
355

 
3
 %
 
(120
)
 
(2
)%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 
 %
 

 
 %
 
(10
)
 
 %
 
(33
)
 
 %
 
(2
)
 
 %
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron
$
806

 
20
 %
 
$
43

 
2
 %
 
$
731

 
18
 %
 
$
1,895

 
16
 %
 
$
(518
)
 
(8
)%


37



Net Sales

 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2013
 
% of net sales
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2013
 
% of net sales
CNBU
$
1,857

 
47
%
 
$
902

 
39
%
 
$
1,835

 
45
%
 
$
5,436

 
45
%
 
$
2,244

 
36
%
SBU
867

 
22
%
 
725

 
31
%
 
901

 
22
%
 
2,573

 
21
%
 
2,044

 
33
%
MBU
757

 
19
%
 
269

 
12
%
 
908

 
22
%
 
2,717

 
22
%
 
744

 
12
%
EBU
467

 
12
%
 
338

 
15
%
 
422

 
10
%
 
1,298

 
11
%
 
925

 
15
%
All Other
34

 
%
 
84

 
3
%
 
41

 
1
%
 
107

 
1
%
 
273

 
4
%
 
$
3,982

 
100
%
 
$
2,318

 
100
%
 
$
4,107

 
100
%
 
$
12,131

 
100
%
 
$
6,230

 
100
%

Total net sales for the third quarter of 2014 decreased 3% as compared to the second quarter of 2014 as a result of declines in MBU and SBU gigabit sales volumes. Total net sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 72% and 95%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to higher CNBU and MBU sales resulting from the MMJ Acquisition. Net sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 also benefitted, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013, from increases in DRAM and NAND Flash sales volumes driven primarily by higher manufacturing output as a result of improvements in product and process technology and an increased share of output from Inotera Memories, Inc. ("Inotera").

Gross Margin

Our overall gross margin percentage of 34% for the third quarter of 2014 was substantially unchanged from the second quarter of 2014 as the gross margins for all of our reportable segments were relatively stable.

Our overall gross margin percentage improved to 34% for the third quarter of 2014 from 24% for the third quarter of 2013 primarily due to improvements in the gross margin percentage for MBU and CNBU as a result of higher margins for DRAM products. Our overall gross margin percentage improved to 33% for the first nine months of 2014 from 18% for the first nine months of 2013 primarily due to improvements in the gross margin percentage for CNBU and MBU as a result of higher margins for DRAM products. The gross margin improvements for CNBU and MBU for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 resulted from the MMJ Acquisition, manufacturing cost reductions and higher average selling prices for CNBU.

We purchase substantially all of the DRAM output of our Inotera joint venture at a discount from market prices for our comparable components. Our costs for Inotera product for the third quarter of 2014 decreased from the second quarter of 2014 but were significantly higher than for the third quarter of 2013 due to changes in average selling prices for our DRAM products and to changes in the terms of our supply agreement with Inotera. In the second quarter of 2013, we entered into a new supply agreement with Inotera under which we are obligated to purchase substantially all of Inotera's DRAM output at a discount from market prices for our comparable components over an initial three-year term (the "Inotera Supply Agreement"). The Inotera Supply Agreement replaced a previous supply agreement under which Inotera sold product at pricing based on a margin-sharing formula among Nanya, Inotera and us. The Inotera Supply Agreement contemplates annual negotiations with respect to potential successive one-year extensions and in the second quarter of 2014, we renewed our supply agreement with Inotera, which extended the initial period that we will purchase substantially all of Inotera's DRAM output through December 2016. For the third quarter of 2014, our costs for Inotera product were significantly higher than our manufacturing costs for similar products at our wholly-owned fabrication facilities.

From the fourth quarter of 2013 through the second quarter of 2014, our costs of goods sold for DRAM products were adversely impacted by the sale of inventories obtained in the MMJ Acquisition. In accounting for the MMJ Acquisition, inventories were recorded at fair value (based on their estimated future selling prices, estimated costs to complete and other factors), which was approximately $200 million higher than the manufacturing cost of such inventories. As a result, our costs of goods sold were adversely affected by approximately $42 million for the second quarter of 2014, $111 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $41 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as those inventories were sold.


38



Operating Results by Business Segments

Compute and Networking Business Unit ("CNBU")

 
 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
 
$
1,857

 
$
902

 
$
1,835

 
$
5,436

 
$
2,244

Operating income
 
531

 
129

 
504

 
1,462

 
1


CNBU sales and operating results track closely with our average selling prices, gigabit sales volumes and cost per gigabit for our sales of DRAM products. (See "Operating Results by Product – DRAM" for further detail.) CNBU sales for the third quarter of 2014 were relatively unchanged from the second quarter of 2014 as slight increases in gigabit sales volumes due to higher production output were offset by declines in average selling prices. Increases in production output for the third quarter of 2014 reflect a shift in DRAM production from mobile DRAM to computing DRAM and improvements in product and process technologies, partially offset by the transition of one of our Singapore wafer fabrication facilities from DRAM to NAND Flash. CNBU operating income for the third quarter of 2014 improved from the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to higher gross margins for DRAM products.

CNBU sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 106% and 142%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to (1) the MMJ Acquisition, (2) higher average selling prices, (3) increased DRAM supply from Inotera as a result of the restructuring of our supply agreement and (4) higher output due to improvements in product and process technologies. CNBU sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 were adversely impacted by the transition of one of our Singapore wafer fabrication facilities from DRAM to NAND Flash. CNBU operating income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 improved from the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to the MMJ Acquisition, higher average selling prices and manufacturing cost reductions.

Storage Business Unit ("SBU")

 
 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
 
$
867

 
$
725

 
$
901

 
$
2,573

 
$
2,044

Operating income
 
55

 
55

 
79

 
228

 
127


SBU sales and operating results track closely with our average selling prices, gigabit sales volumes and cost per gigabit for our sales of NAND Flash products. (See "Operating Results by Product – NAND Flash" for further detail.) SBU sales for the third quarter of 2014 decreased 4% from the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to decreases in gigabits sold. Decreases in gigabits sold for the third quarter of 2014 were primarily due to a shift to a higher mix of products sold in the form of SSDs which have longer manufacturing cycle times. SBU sells a portion of its products to Intel through our IMFT joint venture at long-term negotiated prices approximating cost. SBU sales to Intel under this arrangement were $107 million for the third quarter of 2014, $104 million for the second quarter of 2014 and $89 million for the third quarter of 2013. All other SBU products are sold to OEMs, resellers, retailers and other customers (including Intel), which we collectively refer to as "trade customers."

SBU sales of NAND Flash products to trade customers for the third quarter of 2014 decreased 5% as compared to the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to decreases in gigabits sold. SBU operating income for the third quarter of 2014 declined from the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to higher research and development costs.

SBU sales of NAND Flash products to trade customers for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 21% and 29%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to an increase in gigabits sold partially offset by declines in average selling prices. SBU operating income for the first nine months of 2014 improved from the corresponding period of 2013 primarily due to increased gross margins generated from higher gigabit sales.


39



Mobile Business Unit ("MBU")

 
 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
 
$
757

 
$
269

 
$
908

 
$
2,717

 
$
744

Operating income (loss)
 
135

 
(62
)
 
178

 
479

 
(212
)

In the third quarter of 2014, MBU sales were comprised primarily of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash, in decreasing order of revenue, with mobile DRAM products accounting for a significant majority of the sales. MBU sales for the third quarter of 2014 decreased 17% as compared to the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to decreases in gigabit sales and declines in average selling prices for mobile DRAM products. The decline in gigabits sold in the third quarter of 2014 was primarily due to a shift in DRAM production from mobile DRAM to computing DRAM and reduced production because of an earthquake, which temporarily disrupted our Hiroshima wafer fabrication facility. MBU operating income for the third quarter of 2014 declined from the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to the lower sales volumes.

MBU sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 181% and 265%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to the MMJ Acquisition. MBU operating margin for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 also improved from the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to the MMJ Acquisition.

Embedded Business Unit ("EBU")

 
 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
 
$
467

 
$
338

 
$
422

 
$
1,298

 
$
925

Operating income
 
96

 
56

 
80

 
254

 
174


In the third quarter of 2014, EBU sales were comprised of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash in decreasing order of revenue. EBU sales for the third quarter of 2014 increased 11% as compared to the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to increases in sales volumes partially offset by declines in average selling prices. EBU operating income for the third quarter of 2014 improved from the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to increased margins from sales of NOR Flash and DRAM products as a result of higher sales volumes, partially offset by declines in average selling prices.

EBU sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 38% and 40%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to increased sales volumes of DRAM and NAND Flash products partially offset by declines in average selling prices. EBU operating income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 improved as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to higher margins on sales of DRAM and NAND Flash products as a result of cost reductions.

Operating Results by Product

Net Sales by Product

 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2013
 
% of net sales
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2014
 
% of net sales
 
2013
 
% of net sales
DRAM
$
2,729

 
69
%
 
$
1,098

 
47
%
 
$
2,785

 
68
%
 
$
8,308

 
68
%
 
$
2,709

 
43
%
NAND Flash
1,097

 
28
%
 
936

 
40
%
 
1,154

 
28
%
 
3,309

 
27
%
 
2,609

 
42
%
NOR Flash
116

 
3
%
 
194

 
8
%
 
116

 
3
%
 
377

 
3
%
 
619

 
10
%
Other
40

 
%
 
90

 
5
%
 
52

 
1
%
 
137

 
2
%
 
293

 
5
%
 
$
3,982

 
100
%
 
$
2,318

 
100
%
 
$
4,107

 
100
%
 
$
12,131

 
100
%
 
$
6,230

 
100
%


40



In order to balance our future product mix in anticipation of the closing of the MMJ Acquisition, in the fourth quarter of 2013, we began to transition production at one of our wafer fabrication facilities in Singapore from DRAM to NAND Flash. This transition to NAND Flash production is substantially complete. During this period of transition, there was a marginal reduction in wafer production.

DRAM

 
 
Third Quarter 2014
Versus
 
First Nine Months 2014 Versus
 
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
First Nine
Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
 
(percentage change from period indicated)
Net sales
 
(2
)%
 
149
 %
 
207
 %
Average selling prices per gigabit
 
(2
)%
 
2
 %
 
11
 %
Gigabits sold
 
 %
 
142
 %
 
176
 %
Cost per gigabit
 
(3
)%
 
(17
)%
 
(20
)%

Gigabit sales of DRAM products for the third quarter of 2014 were essentially unchanged from the second quarter of 2014, as higher production volumes resulting from improved product and process technologies were offset by lost production at our Hiroshima fabrication facility due to an earthquake and the transition of one of our wafer fabrication facilities in Singapore from DRAM to NAND Flash. The increase in gigabit sales of DRAM products for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 was primarily due to higher production volumes resulting from the MMJ Acquisition, the effect of the new Inotera Supply Agreement and improved product and process technologies, partially offset by the transition of one of our wafer fabrication facilities in Singapore from DRAM to NAND Flash.

Effective on January 1, 2013, we entered into the new Inotera Supply Agreement under which we purchase substantially all of Inotera's DRAM output at a discount from market prices for our comparable components over an initial three-year term. Prior to the new Inotera Supply Agreement we had the right to purchase 50% of Inotera's wafer production capacity based on a margin-sharing formula among Nanya, Inotera and us. (See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity Method Investments" note.) Our cost of products purchased from Inotera under these supply agreements was $700 million for the third quarter of 2014, $714 million for the second quarter of 2014 and $341 million for the third quarter of 2013. Our cost of products purchased from Inotera for the third quarter of 2014 decreased from the second quarter of 2014 but was significantly higher than our cost of similar products manufactured in our wholly-owned facilities in the third and second quarters of 2014. DRAM products acquired from Inotera accounted for 40% of our DRAM gigabit production for the third quarter of 2014 as compared to 37% for the second quarter of 2014 and 62% for the third quarter of 2013.

Our gigabit production and sales volumes of DRAM products have increased significantly in 2014 as compared to 2013 due to our MMJ Acquisition. MMJ and MMT have 300mm wafer fabrication facilities in Japan and Taiwan, respectively, that are dedicated to the production of DRAM products. In the third quarter of 2014, DRAM products produced by these facilities constituted 52% of our aggregate DRAM gigabit production.

Our gross margin percentage on sales of DRAM products for the third quarter of 2014 was relatively unchanged from the second quarter of 2014 as slight reductions in costs from improvements in product and process technologies were offset by declines in average selling prices. Our gross margin percentage on sales of DRAM products for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 improved from the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to manufacturing cost reductions, higher average selling prices and the MMJ Acquisition.


41



NAND Flash

We sell a portion of our output of NAND Flash products to Intel through IMFT at long-term negotiated prices approximating cost. (See "Operating Results by Business Segments – Storage Business Unit" for further detail.) We sell the remainder of our NAND Flash products to trade customers.

 
 
Third Quarter 2014
Versus
 
First Nine Months 2014 Versus
 
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
First Nine
Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
 
(percentage change from period indicated)
Sales to trade customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
(6
)%
 
18
 %
 
29
 %
Average selling prices per gigabit
 
 %
 
(29
)%
 
(22
)%
Gigabits sold
 
(6
)%
 
66
 %
 
65
 %
Cost per gigabit
 
 %
 
(27
)%
 
(24
)%

Decreases in NAND Flash gigabits sold to trade customers for the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2014 were primarily due to a shift to a higher mix of products sold in the form of SSDs which have longer manufacturing cycle times. SSD NAND Flash products generally have higher average selling prices and manufacturing costs per gigabit than other NAND Flash products and, as a result, the shift to a higher mix of SSDs in the third quarter of 2014 also affected changes in these measures. Increases in NAND Flash gigabits sold to trade customers for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 were primarily due to the transition of one of our wafer fabrication facilities in Singapore from DRAM to NAND Flash production and improved product and process technologies. Our gross margin percentage on sales of trade NAND Flash products for the third quarter of 2014 was relatively unchanged from the second quarter of 2014 as average selling prices and manufacturing costs were stable. Our gross margin percentage on sales of trade NAND Flash products for the third quarter of 2014 decreased from the third quarter of 2013 as declines in average selling prices outpaced manufacturing cost reductions. Our gross margin percentage on sales of trade NAND Flash products for first nine months of 2014 improved from the corresponding period of 2013 as manufacturing cost reductions outpaced decreases in average selling prices. Manufacturing cost reductions for the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the third quarter of 2013 primarily resulted from improvements in product and process technologies.

NOR Flash

Sales of NOR Flash products for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 declined as compared to corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to decreases in sales of wireless products as a result of the continued transition of wireless applications to NAND Flash products. Our gross margin percentage on sales of NOR Flash products for the third quarter of 2014 improved as compared to the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to shifts in product mix. Our gross margin percentage on sales of NOR Flash products for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 declined as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to costs of underutilized capacity in connection with the decrease in production of wireless products and decreases in average selling prices.


Operating Expenses and Other

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were substantially unchanged as compared to the second quarter of 2014. SG&A expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 37% and 43%, respectively, from the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to the incremental costs resulting from the MMJ Acquisition and higher payroll costs resulting primarily from the reinstatement of variable pay plans. We expect that SG&A expenses will approximate $175 million to $185 million for the fourth quarter of 2014.


42



Research and Development

R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were substantially unchanged as compared to the second quarter of 2014. R&D expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 54% and 53%, respectively, from the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to the incremental costs resulting from the MMJ Acquisition, higher payroll costs resulting primarily from the reinstatement of variable pay plans and increased resources dedicated to development efforts.

As a result of amounts reimbursable from Intel under cost-sharing agreements, R&D expenses were reduced by $36 million for the third quarter of 2014, $35 million for the second quarter of 2014 and $33 million for the third quarter of 2013. Pursuant to a cost-sharing arrangement with Nanya effective through December 31, 2012, our R&D costs were reduced by $19 million in the first six months of 2013. Nanya ceased participating in the joint development program in the second quarter of 2013. We expect that R&D expenses, net of amounts reimbursable from our R&D partners, will approximate $355 million to $365 million for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Our process technology R&D efforts are focused primarily on development of successively smaller line-width process technologies which are designed to facilitate our transition to next generation memory products. Additional process technology R&D efforts focus on the enablement of advanced computing and mobile memory architectures, the investigation of new opportunities that leverage our core semiconductor expertise and the development of new manufacturing materials. Product design and development efforts include our high density DDR3 and DDR4 DRAM, Mobile Low Power DDR DRAM products, high density NAND Flash memory (including multi-level, triple-level cell and 3D technologies), SSDs, Hybrid Memory Cubes, specialty memory, NOR Flash memory, and other memory technologies and systems.

Restructure and Asset Impairments

 
 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2014
 
2013
Loss (gain) on impairment of MIT assets
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
62

Loss (gain) on impairment of LED assets
 
(3
)
 
25

 

 
(6
)
 
29

Loss on restructure of ST consortium agreement
 

 
26

 

 

 
26

Gain on termination of lease to Transform
 

 

 

 

 
(25
)
Other
 
12

 
4

 
17

 
29

 
2

 
 
$
9

 
$
55

 
$
12

 
$
18

 
$
94


For the first nine months of 2014, other restructure included an aggregate of approximately $30 million associated with our efforts to wind down our 200mm operations in Agrate, Italy and Kiryat Gat, Israel. We anticipate incurring restructure charges of $15 million to $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 for employee termination benefits in Italy.

For the third quarter of 2013, we recognized charges of $25 million, primarily to impair certain production assets used in the development of LED technology, and $26 million in connection with the restructure of a consortium agreement with STMicroelectronics S.r.l. ("ST"), whereby certain assets and approximately 500 employees from our Agrate, Italy fabrication facility were transferred to ST. For the first nine months of 2013, we also recognized a charge of $62 million to impair the assets of Micron Technology Italia, S.r.l. ("MIT"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to their estimated fair values in connection with the sale of MIT to LFoundry Marsica S.r.l. and a gain of $25 million related to the termination of a lease with Transform Solar Pty Ltd., an equity method investee, to a portion of our manufacturing facilities in Boise, Idaho.

(See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Restructure and Asset Impairments.")

Interest Income (Expense)

Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2014, second quarter of 2014 and third quarter of 2013, included aggregate amounts of amortization of debt discount and other costs of $36 million, $44 million and $28 million, respectively.


43



Income Taxes

Income taxes for the third and second quarters of 2014 included $49 million and $55 million, respectively, related to the utilization of deferred tax assets as a result of MMJ's and MMT's operations. Remaining taxes for 2014 and 2013 primarily reflect taxes on our non-U.S. operations. We have a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax asset associated with our U.S. operations.  The provision (benefit) for taxes on U.S. operations in the third quarters and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was substantially offset by changes in the valuation allowance. As of May 29, 2014, we estimate an increase in unrecognized tax benefits for 2014 of approximately $110 million primarily related to transfer pricing matters. This increase is expected to be substantially offset by a change in our valuation allowance.

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Equity Method Investees

We recognize our share of earnings or losses from our equity method investments generally on a two-month lag.  Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees, net of tax, included the following:

 
 
Third Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Nine Months
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2014
 
2013
Inotera
 
$
134

 
$
(13
)
 
$
131

 
$
349

 
$
(121
)
Tera Probe
 
2

 

 
4

 
8

 

Other
 
(1
)
 
3

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 
 
$
135

 
$
(10
)
 
$
134

 
$
355

 
$
(120
)

Our equity in net income (loss) of Inotera improved for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 primarily due to Inotera's improved operating results from higher average selling prices to us and lower manufacturing costs. Higher average selling prices resulted from the new Inotera Supply Agreement coupled with an improved market.

On May 15, 2014, Inotera issued 400 million common shares in a public offering at a price equal to 31.50 New Taiwan dollars per share, which was in excess of our carrying value per share. We did not purchase any shares in the offering and our ownership interest decreased from 35% to 33%. As a result of Inotera's offering, we will recognize a non-operating gain of approximately $90 million. Because we recognize the effects of our investment in Inotera on a two-month lag, the gain will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

On June 9, 2014, ON Semiconductor Corporation announced that it will pay approximately $400 million to acquire Aptina Imaging Corporation ("Aptina"), a company in which we hold an equity method investment, subject to certain customary closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014 or first quarter of 2015, subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Upon the successful completion of ON Semiconductor's acquisition of Aptina, we expect to receive proceeds of approximately $100 million, based on our diluted ownership interest of approximately 27%, and recognize a gain approximately equal to the proceeds we receive.

(See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity Method Investments.")

Other

In the second quarter of 2014, we settled all pending litigation between us and Rambus, including all antitrust and patent matters, and entered into a patent cross-license agreement.  As a result, other operating expense for the first nine months of 2014 included a $233 million charge to accrue a liability, which reflects the discounted value of amounts due under this arrangement. (See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies" note.)

Other non-operating expense for the third quarter of 2014, second quarter of 2014 and first nine months of 2014 included losses from the restructure of our debt of $16 million, $80 million and $171 million, respectively. Other non-operating expense for the first nine months of 2013 included losses of $31 million from the restructure of our debt. (See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt" note.)


44



Further discussion of other operating and non-operating income and expense can be found in the following notes contained in "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements":

Equity Plans
Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of
 
May 29,
2014
 
August 29,
2013
Cash and equivalents and short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
Bank deposits
 
$
3,402

 
$
1,619

Money market funds
 
370

 
1,188

Certificates of deposit
 
288

 
47

Corporate bonds
 
114

 
112

Government securities
 
63

 
72

Commercial paper
 
25

 
61

Asset-backed securities
 
2

 
2

 
 
$
4,264

 
$
3,101

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term marketable investments
 
$
545

 
$
499

 
 
 
 
 
Restricted cash:
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$

 
$
556

Noncurrent (included in "Other noncurrent assets")
 
62

 
63

 
 
$
62

 
$
619


Cash and equivalents and short-term investments as of May 29, 2014 included $2.58 billion held by MMJ and its subsidiaries. Substantially all of our restricted cash is held by MMJ for its installment payments to its secured and unsecured creditors. Use of cash and equivalents and restricted cash held by MMJ is subject to limitations described below.

As a result of the corporate reorganization proceedings of the MMJ Companies entered into in March 2012 and for so long as such proceedings are continuing, the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions on dividends, loans and advances. The plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies prohibit the MMJ Companies from paying dividends, including any cash dividends, to us and require that excess earnings be used in their businesses or to fund the MMJ Companies' installment payments. These prohibitions also effectively prevent the subsidiaries of the MMJ Companies from paying cash dividends to us as any such dividends would have to be first paid to the MMJ Companies which are prohibited from repaying those amounts to us as dividends under the plans of reorganization. In addition, pursuant to an order of the Japan Court, the MMJ Companies cannot make loans or advances, other than certain ordinary course advances, to us without the consent of the Japan Court. Moreover, loans or advances by subsidiaries of the MMJ Companies may be considered outside of the ordinary course of business and subject to approval of the legal trustee and Japan Court. As a result, the assets of the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries, while available to satisfy the MMJ Companies' installment payments and the other obligations, capital expenditures and other operating needs of the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries, are not available for use by us in our other operations. Moreover, certain uses of the assets of the MMJ Companies, including investments in certain capital expenditures and in MMT, may require consent of MMJ's trustees and/or the Japan Court.

Cash and equivalents in the table above included $84 million held by IMFT as of May 29, 2014. Our ability to access funds held by IMFT to finance our other operations is subject to agreement by Intel and by contractual limitations. Amounts held by IMFT are not anticipated to be available to finance our other operations.

As of May 29, 2014, $3.75 billion of our cash and equivalents and short-term investments was held by foreign subsidiaries, of which $828 million was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of May 29, 2014, we had $3.43 billion of cash and equivalents and short-term investments that was held by foreign subsidiaries whose earnings were considered to be indefinitely reinvested and repatriation of funds to the U.S. would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes.

45




To mitigate credit risk, we invest through high-credit-quality financial institutions and, by policy, generally limit the concentration of credit exposure by restricting investments with any single obligor.

Cash generated by operations is our primary source of liquidity. Our liquidity is highly dependent on selling prices for our products and the timing and level of our capital expenditures, both of which can vary significantly from period to period. Depending on conditions in the semiconductor memory market, our cash flows from operations and current holdings of cash and investments may not be adequate to meet our needs for capital expenditures and operations. In the first nine months of 2014, we obtained $1.06 billion of proceeds from the issuance of debt. In 2013, we obtained $1.12 billion of proceeds from the issuance of debt and $126 million of proceeds from equipment sale-leaseback financing. (See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt.") As of May 29, 2014, we had credit facilities available that provide for up to $408 million of additional financing, subject to outstanding balances of trade receivables and other conditions. We expect our cash and investments, cash flows from operations and available financing will be sufficient to meet our requirements at least through the next 12 months.

Holders of our outstanding convertible notes can convert the notes during any calendar quarter if the closing price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the conversion price. As of May 29, 2014, our 2031B Notes, 2033E Notes and 2033F Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $714 million contained contractual terms that require us to pay cash up to the principal amount of the notes upon conversion. These notes met the conversion criteria for the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2014 and, as a result, we reclassified the $626 million carrying value of these notes to current debt and reclassified the $88 million difference between the principal and carrying amount of these convertible notes from additional capital to redeemable convertible notes. These notes also met the conversion criteria for the calendar quarter ended June 30, 2014 and are therefore convertible by the holders through September 30, 2014.

We are continuously evaluating alternatives for efficiently financing our capital expenditures and operations and optimizing our balance sheet. We have engaged in the past, and we expect from time to time in the future to engage, in a variety of transactions for such purposes, including the issuance or incurrence of secured and unsecured debt and the refinancing and restructuring of existing debt, including our convertible notes, through exchanges, repurchases, redemptions and conversions. We have used substantial amounts of cash in recent periods in connection with repurchases and conversions of our convertible notes and we could pursue other actions to reduce our outstanding balance of convertible notes, which could require further outlays of cash.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.35 billion for the first nine months of 2014, due primarily to a strong market for our products and our continued focus on cost-efficient operations.  Operating cash flows in the first nine months of 2014 also benefitted by a $575 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses offset by a $330 million increase in receivables.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities was $923 million for the first nine months of 2014, which consisted primarily of cash expenditures of $1.52 billion for property, plant and equipment offset by release of restrictions on $534 million of cash in connection with the first MMJ creditor installment payment.

We believe that to develop new product and process technologies, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies and maintain product quality, we must continue to invest in manufacturing technologies, facilities and capital equipment and R&D. We estimate that capital spending for 2014 will be approximately $2.8 billion to $3.2 billion. As of May 29, 2014, we had commitments of approximately $1.33 billion for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, substantially all of which is expected to be paid within one year.

Financing Activities

Net cash used for financing activities was $2.23 billion for the first nine months of 2014, which included $3.13 billion for repayments of debt and $292 million of payments on equipment purchase contracts. Cash outflows for these financing activities were partially offset by $1.06 billion of proceeds from issuance of debt and by $247 million of proceeds from issuance of common stock under our equity plans.


46



As of May 29, 2014, under the terms and conditions of the MMJ Companies' plans of reorganization, we are obligated to pay 142 billion yen (or the equivalent of $1.40 billion based on exchange rates as of May 29, 2014) to the external creditors of the MMJ Companies. In October 2013, we made the first installment payment of $534 million to the external creditors of the MMJ Companies from funds that had been held in a restricted cash account since the acquisition date. The remaining installment payments are due at the end of each calendar year beginning in 2014 through 2019.

In the first nine months of 2014, we initiated a series of actions to restructure our debt as follows:

Exchanges: Exchanged approximately $80 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2027 Notes, $155 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031A Notes and $205 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031B Notes for $1.03 billion in aggregate principal amount at maturity of new 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2043.

Conversions: Settled conversions of a portion of our 2027 Notes, 2031A Notes and 2014 Notes entirely in cash. Principal amounts of debt converted and cash paid on settlement of conversions in the first nine months of 2014 were as follows:

 
 
Principal Converted
 
Cash Paid on Settlement
Second Quarter 2014:
 
 
 
 
2014 Notes
 
$
66

 
$
109

2027 Notes
 
95

 
179

2031A Notes
 
190

 
440

 
 
351

 
728

 
 
 
 
 
Third Quarter 2014:
 
 
 
 
2014 Notes
 
419

 
718

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
770

 
$
1,446


Repurchases: Repurchased for cash a portion of our 2031B Notes, 2032C Notes and 2032D Notes in privately negotiated transactions. Principal amounts of debt repurchased and cash paid on settlement of conversions in the third and second quarters of 2014 were as follows:

 
 
Principal Repurchased
 
Cash Paid for Repurchase
Second Quarter 2014:
 
 
 
 
2031B Notes
 
$
26

 
$
65

2032C Notes
 
100

 
249

2032D Notes
 
38

 
93

 
 
164

 
407

 
 
 
 
 
Third Quarter 2014:
 
 
 
 
2032C Notes
 
60

 
142

2032D Notes
 
39

 
111

 
 
99

 
253

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
263

 
$
660



47



Other Financing Activities: On December 20, 2013, we issued $462 million in principal amount of 1.258% Secured Notes due January 2019 (the "2019 Notes"). The 2019 Notes mature on January 15, 2019 and are collateralized by certain equipment which had a carrying value of $215 million as of May 29, 2014. The principal amount of the 2019 Notes is payable in 10 consecutive semi-annual installments payable in January and July of each year, commencing in July 2014. The Export-Import Bank of the United States ("Ex-Im Bank") guaranteed payment of all regularly scheduled installment payments of principal of, and interest on, the 2019 Notes. We paid $23 million to Ex-Im Bank for its guarantee upon issuance of the 2019 Notes.

On February 5, 2014, we issued $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due February 2022 (the "2022 Notes"). We paid issuance costs of $14 million for the 2022 Notes. Interest is payable in February and August.

On February 27, 2014, in connection with our acquisition of an additional 9.9% interest in MMT, we recorded a $127 million note payable to the seller for the present value of the monthly installments, from March 2014 through December 2014.

See "Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt.")

Contractual Obligations

 
 
 
 
Payments Due by Period
As of May 29, 2014
 
Total
 
Remainder of 2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019 and Thereafter
Notes payable (1) (2)
 
$
6,403

 
$
137

 
$
635

 
$
553

 
$
516

 
$
709

 
$
3,853

Capital lease obligations (2)
 
1,056

 
105

 
355

 
307

 
86

 
43

 
160

Operating leases(3)
 
120

 
6

 
21

 
18

 
14

 
13

 
48

Total
 
$
7,579

 
$
248

 
$
1,011

 
$
878

 
$
616

 
$
765

 
$
4,061

(1) Amounts include MMJ creditor installment payments, convertible notes and other notes. Any future redemption or conversion of our convertible notes could impact the timing and amount of cash payments.
(2) Amounts reflect principal and interest.
(3) Amounts do not include contingent lease payments.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP.  The core principal of this ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract.  This ASU will be effective for us in our first quarter of 2018.  Early adoption is not permitted. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We are evaluating the transition method that will be elected and the potential effects of the adoption of this ASU on our financial statements.




48



ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk related to our indebtedness and our investment portfolio. Substantially all of our indebtedness is at fixed interest rates. As a result, the fair value of our debt fluctuates based on changes in market interest rates. We estimate that, as of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, a hypothetical decrease in market interest rates of 1% would increase the fair value of our convertible notes and other notes by approximately $202 million and $147 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense caused by a 1% increase in the interest rates of our variable-rate debt would not be significant.

As of May 29, 2014 and August 29, 2013, we held debt securities of $1.04 billion and $787 million, respectively, that were subject to interest rate risk. We estimate that a 0.5% increase in market interest rates would decrease the fair value of these instruments by approximately $5 million as of May 29, 2014 and $4 million as of August 29, 2013.


Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The information in this section should be read in conjunction with the information related to changes in the exchange rates of foreign currency in "Item 1A. Risk Factors."  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

The functional currency for all of our operations is the U.S. dollar. As a result of our foreign operations, we incur costs and carry certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies. The substantial majority of our revenues are transacted in the U.S. dollar; however, significant amounts of our operating expenditures and capital purchases are incurred in or exposed to other currencies, primarily the euro, the shekel, the Singapore dollar, the New Taiwan dollar, the yen and the yuan. We have established currency risk management programs for our operating expenditures and capital purchases to hedge against fluctuations in fair value and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in exchange rates. We utilize currency forward and option contracts in these hedging programs. Our hedging programs reduce, but do not always entirely eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate movements. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

To hedge our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates from our monetary assets and liabilities, we utilize a rolling hedge strategy with currency forward contracts that generally mature within 35 days.  Based on our foreign currency exposures from monetary assets and liabilities, offset by balance sheet hedges, we estimate that a 10% adverse change in exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar would result in losses of approximately U.S. $13 million as of May 29, 2014 and U.S. $19 million as of August 29, 2013. To hedge the exposure of changes in cash flows from changes in currency exchange rates for certain capital expenditures and forecasted operating cash flows, we utilize currency forward contracts that generally mature within 12 months and currency options that generally mature from 12 to 18 months.

As of May 29, 2014, under the terms and conditions of the MMJ Companies' plans of reorganization, we are obligated to pay 142 billion yen (or the equivalent of $1.40 billion based on exchange rates as of May 29, 2014) to the external creditors of the MMJ Companies. The installment payments are due at the end of each calendar year beginning in 2014 through 2019. To mitigate the risk that increases in exchange rates have on the payments due in 2014 and 2015, we entered into forward contracts to purchase 20 billion yen on November 28, 2014 and 10 billion yen on November 27, 2015. In addition, the MMJ Companies' cash and equivalent balances in yen mitigate the foreign currency exchange risk associated with the remaining installment payments due in 2015 and after. (See "Item 1. – Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt.")




49



ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decision regarding disclosure.

During the quarterly period covered by this report, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Reorganization Proceedings of the MMJ Companies

On July 31, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Elpida Memory, Inc. ("Elpida"), now known as Micron Memory Japan, Inc. ("MMJ"), a Japanese corporation, pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement on Support for Reorganization Companies (as amended, the "Sponsor Agreement") that we entered into on July 2, 2012, with the trustees of MMJ and one of its subsidiaries, Akita Elpida Memory, Inc., a Japanese corporation, now known as Micron Akita, Inc. ("MAI" and, together with MMJ, the "MMJ Companies") pursuant to and in connection with the MMJ Companies' pending corporate reorganization proceedings under the Corporate Reorganization Act of Japan.

The MMJ Companies filed petitions for commencement of corporate reorganization proceedings with the Tokyo District Court (the "Japan Court") under the Corporate Reorganization Act of Japan on February 27, 2012, and the Japan Court issued an order to commence the reorganization proceedings (the "Japan Proceedings") on March 23, 2012. On July 2, 2012, we entered into the Sponsor Agreement with the legal trustees of the MMJ Companies and the Japan Court approved the Sponsor Agreement. Under the Sponsor Agreement, we agreed to provide certain support for the reorganization of the MMJ Companies, and the trustees agreed to prepare and seek approval from the Japan Court and the MMJ Companies' creditors of plans of reorganization consistent with such support.

The trustees initially submitted the proposed plans of reorganization for the MMJ Companies to the Japan Court on August 21, 2012, and submitted final proposed plans on October 29, 2012. On October 31, 2012, the Japan Court approved submission of the trustees' proposed plans of reorganization to creditors for approval. On February 26, 2013, the MMJ Companies' creditors approved the reorganization plans and on February 28, 2013, the Japan Court issued an order approving the plans of reorganization. Appeals filed by certain creditors of MMJ in Japan challenging the plan approval order issued by the Japan Court were denied.

In a related action, MMJ filed a Verified Petition for Recognition and Chapter 15 Relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "U.S. Court") on March 19, 2012 and, on April 24, 2012, the U.S. Court entered an order that, among other things, recognized MMJ's corporate reorganization proceeding as a foreign main proceeding pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1517(b). On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Court issued a recognition order, which recognized the order of the Japan Court approving MMJ's plan of reorganization. On November 19, 2013, the U.S. Court closed the U.S. Chapter 15 proceeding.


50



The plans of reorganization provide for payments by the MMJ Companies to their secured and unsecured creditors in an aggregate amount of 200 billion yen, less certain expenses of the reorganization proceedings and certain other items. The plans of reorganization also provided for the investment by us pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement of 60 billion yen ($615 million paid at closing) in cash into MMJ in exchange for 100% ownership of MMJ's equity and the use of such investment to fund the initial installment payment by the MMJ Companies to their creditors of 60 billion yen, subject to reduction for certain items specified in the Sponsor Agreement and plans of reorganization. In the first quarter of 2014, we made the first installment payment of $534 million to the secured and unsecured creditors of MMJ. The plans of reorganization also provide for 142 billion yen (or the equivalent of approximately $1.40 billion as of May 29, 2014) of additional payments by the MMJ Companies to their creditors, to be paid in six annual installments beginning December 2014, with payments of 20 billion yen (or the equivalent of approximately $196 million as of May 29, 2014) in each of the first four annual installment payments, and payments of 30 billion yen (or the equivalent of approximately $295 million as of May 29, 2014) in each of the final two annual installment payments.

Under the Sponsor Agreement, we agreed that we would, subject to certain conditions, implement and maintain a cost plus model with the MMJ Companies in support of the execution of their plans of reorganization. In connection with these commitments, we entered into a series of cost-plus agreements with MMJ and MAI, including supply agreements, research and development services agreements and general services agreements (the "Cost Plus Agreements"). The Cost Plus Agreements are intended to generate more stable operating cash flows to meet the requirements of the MMJ Companies' businesses, including the funding of the installment payments to the MMJ Companies' creditors. We anticipate that, once fully in effect, payments we make under the Cost Plus Agreements will generally cover all of MMJ and MAI's costs.

Under MMJ's plan of reorganization, secured creditors will recover 100% of the amount of their fixed claims and unsecured creditors will recover at least 17.4% of the amount of their fixed claims. The actual recovery of unsecured creditors will be higher, however, based, in part, on events and circumstances occurring following the plan approval. The remaining portion of the unsecured claims will be discharged, without payment, over the period that payments are made pursuant to the plans of reorganization. The secured creditors will be paid in full on or before the sixth installment payment date, while the unsecured creditors will be paid in seven installments. MAI's plan of reorganization provides that secured creditors will recover 100% of the amount of their claims, whereas unsecured creditors will recover 19% of the amount of their claims. The secured creditors of MAI will be paid in full on the first installment payment date, while the unsecured creditors will be paid in seven installments.

Certain contingency matters related to the MMJ Companies, which are primarily comprised of outstanding litigation claims, were not treated as fixed claims under the plans of reorganization at the time the plans were filed with the Japan Court. A portion of each installment amount payable to the creditors of the MMJ Companies will be reserved for use in the event that any of these matters become fixed claims, in which case these fixed claims will be paid under the plans of reorganization in the same manner as the fixed claims of other creditors. To the extent the aggregate amounts reserved from the installment payments exceed the aggregate amounts payable with respect to these unfixed claims once they become fixed, the excess amounts reserved will be distributed to unsecured creditors with respect to their fixed claims, resulting in an increased recovery for the unsecured creditors out of the installment payments. To the extent the aggregate amounts reserved are less than the aggregate amounts payable with respect to these unfixed claims once they become fixed, the MMJ Companies would be responsible to fund any shortfall to ensure that the creditors receive the minimum recovery to which they are entitled under the plans of reorganization with respect to these claims. As a result, there is a possibility that the total amount payable by the MMJ Companies to their creditors under the plans of reorganization will exceed 200 billion yen. In addition, certain of these unfixed claims may be resolved pursuant to settlement arrangements or other post-petition agreements and a substantial portion of the amounts payable under such agreements may have to be funded by the MMJ Companies outside of the plans of reorganization.

Because the plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies provide for ongoing payments to creditors following the closing of the MMJ acquisition, the Japan Proceedings are continuing, and the MMJ Companies remain subject to the oversight of the Japan Court and of the trustees (including a trustee designated by us, who we refer to as the business trustee, and a trustee designated by the Japan Court, who we refer to as the legal trustee), pending completion of the reorganization proceedings. The business trustee will make decisions in relation to the operation of the businesses of the MMJ Companies, other than decisions in relation to acts that need to be carried out in connection with the Japan Proceedings, which will be the responsibility of the legal trustee. The Japan Proceedings and oversight of the Japan Court will continue until the final creditor payment is made under the MMJ Companies' plans of reorganization, which is scheduled to occur in December 2019, but may occur on a later date to the extent any claims of creditors remain unfixed on the final scheduled installment payment date. The MMJ Companies may petition the Japan Court for an early termination of the Japan Proceedings once two-thirds of all payments under the plans of reorganization are made. Although such early terminations are customarily granted, there can be no assurance that the Japan Court will grant any such petition in these particular cases.


51



During the pendency of the Japan Proceedings, the MMJ Companies are obligated to provide periodic financial reports to the Japan Court and may be required to obtain the consent of the Japan Court prior to taking a number of significant actions relating to their businesses, including transferring or disposing of, or acquiring, certain material assets, incurring or guaranteeing material indebtedness, settling material disputes, or entering into certain material agreements. The consent of the legal trustee may also be required for matters that would likely have a material impact on the operations or assets of the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries or for transfers of material assets, to the extent the matters or transfers would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect execution of the plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies. Accordingly, during the pendency of the Japan Proceedings, our ability to effectively integrate the MMJ Companies as part of our global operations or to cause the MMJ Companies to take certain actions that we deem advisable for their businesses could be adversely affected if the Japan Court or the legal trustee is unwilling to consent to various actions that we may wish to take with respect to the MMJ Companies.

Rambus

On May 5, 2004, Rambus, Inc. ("Rambus") filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California (San Francisco County) against us and other DRAM suppliers which alleged that the defendants harmed Rambus by engaging in concerted and unlawful efforts affecting Rambus DRAM by eliminating competition and stifling innovation in the market for computer memory technology and computer memory chips.  Rambus' complaint alleged various causes of action under California state law including, among other things, a conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices, a conspiracy to monopolize, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition. Rambus sought a judgment for damages of approximately $3.9 billion, joint and several liability, trebling of damages awarded, punitive damages, a permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from the conduct alleged in the complaint, interest, and attorneys' fees and costs. Trial began on June 20, 2011, and the case went to the jury on September 21, 2011. On November 16, 2011, the jury found for us on all claims. On April 2, 2012, Rambus filed a notice of appeal to the California 1st District Court of Appeal.

We were engaged in litigation with Rambus relating to certain of Rambus' patents and certain of our claims and defenses. Our lawsuits with Rambus related to patent matters were pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Germany, France, and Italy.

In December 2013, we settled all pending litigation between us and Rambus, including all antitrust and patent matters.  We also entered into a 7-year term patent cross-license agreement with Rambus that allows us to avoid costs of patent related litigation during the term.  We agreed to pay Rambus up to $10 million per quarter over seven years, for a total of $280 million.  The primary benefits we received from these arrangements were (1) the settlement and termination of all existing litigation, (2) the avoidance of future litigation expenses and (3) the avoidance of future management and customer disruptions.  As a result, other operating expense for the first quarter of 2014 included a $233 million charge to accrue a liability, which reflects the discounted value of amounts due under this arrangement.

Patent Matters

On September 1, 2011, HSM Portfolio LLC and Technology Properties Limited LLC filed a patent infringement action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against us and seventeen other defendants, including MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc.  On August 22, 2013, the plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint. The third amended complaint alleges that certain of our DRAM and image sensor products infringe four U.S. patents and that certain MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. DRAM products infringe two U.S. patents and seeks damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Trial currently is scheduled for January 25, 2016. On March 23, 2012, MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. filed a Notice of Filing and Hearing on Petition Under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and Issuance of Provisional Relief that included an order of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware staying judicial proceedings against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. Accordingly, the plaintiffs' case against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) was stayed.  On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware entered its Order (1) Granting Recognition of the Japanese Reorganization Plan of MMJ and the Tokyo District Court's Confirmation Orders, (2) Entrusting MMJ's U.S. Assets to Foreign Representatives and Approving Certain Plan Transactions, (3) Granting Permanent Injunction, and (4) Granting Related Relief (the "Recognition Order").  Pursuant to the Recognition Order, the plaintiffs are permanently enjoined from continuing their case against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. in respect of any claim or claims arising prior to the commencement of the Japan Proceeding (as defined in the Recognition Order).


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On December 5, 2011, the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois (the "University") filed a patent infringement action against us in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. The complaint alleges that unspecified semiconductor products of ours infringe three U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. We have filed three petitions for inter-partes review by the Patent and Trademark Office, challenging the validity of each of the patents in suit. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board ("PTAB") held a hearing in connection with the three petitions on December 9, 2013. On March 10, 2014, the PTAB issued written decisions finding that each and every claim in the three patents in suit is invalid, and cancelled all claims. The University has appealed the PTAB rulings to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

On April 27, 2012, Semcon Tech, LLC filed a patent infringement action against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges that our use of various chemical mechanical planarization systems purchased from Applied Materials infringes a single U.S. patent and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Trial is currently scheduled for August 21, 2015.

On December 7, 2007, Tessera, Inc. filed a patent infringement against MMJ, Elpida Memory (USA) Inc., and numerous other defendants, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges that certain MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. products infringe four U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Prior to answering the complaint, MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. and other defendants filed motions to stay the case pending final resolution of a case before the International Trade Commission ("ITC") against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. and other respondents, alleging infringement of the same patents asserted in the Eastern District of Texas case (In The Matter of Certain Semiconductor Chips with Minimized Chip Package Size and Products Containing Same (III), ITC No. 337-TA-630 (the "ITC Action")). On February 25, 2008, the Eastern District of Texas Court granted the defendants' motion to stay the action. On December 29, 2009, the ITC issued a Notice of Final Determination in the ITC Action finding no violation by MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) Inc. Tessera, Inc. subsequently appealed the matter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On May 23, 2011, the Federal Circuit affirmed the ITC's Final Determination. The Eastern District of Texas case currently remains stayed by order of the Eastern District of Texas Court. Additionally, by operation of the Recognition Order, plaintiff in that action is permanently enjoined from continuing its case against MMJ and Elpida Memory (USA) in respect of any claim or claims arising prior to the commencement of the Japan Proceeding (as defined in the Recognition Order).

Among other things, the above lawsuits pertain to certain of our DDR, DDR2, DDR3, SDR SDRAM, PSRAM, RLDRAM, LPSDR, NAND Flash, image sensor products and certain other memory products we manufacture, which account for a significant portion of our net sales.

We are unable to predict the outcome of assertions of infringement made against us and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. A determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others or entering into a license agreement covering such intellectual property could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our products and/or manufacturing processes. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.


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Antitrust Matters

A number of purported class action price-fixing lawsuits have been filed against us and other DRAM suppliers. Four cases have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that indirectly purchased DRAM and/or products containing DRAM from various DRAM suppliers during the time period from April 1, 1999 through at least June 30, 2002. The complaints allege a conspiracy to increase DRAM prices in violation of federal and state antitrust laws and state unfair competition law, and/or unjust enrichment relating to the sale and pricing of DRAM products. The complaints seek joint and several damages, trebled, monetary damages, restitution, costs, interest and attorneys' fees. In addition, at least sixty-four cases have been filed in various state courts asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of indirect purchasers of DRAM. In July 2006, the Attorneys General for approximately forty U.S. states and territories filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaints allege, among other things, violations of the Sherman Act, Cartwright Act, and certain other states' consumer protection and antitrust laws and seek joint and several damages, trebled, as well as injunctive and other relief. On October 3, 2008, the California Attorney General filed a similar lawsuit in California Superior Court, purportedly on behalf of local California government entities, alleging, among other things, violations of the Cartwright Act and state unfair competition law. On June 23, 2010, we executed a settlement agreement resolving these purported class-action indirect purchaser cases and the pending cases of the Attorneys General relating to alleged DRAM price-fixing in the United States. Subject to certain conditions, we agreed to pay approximately $67 million in aggregate in three equal installments over a two-year period. We paid the full amount into an escrow account by the end of the first quarter of 2013 in accordance with the settlement agreement.

On June 21, 2010, the Brazil Secretariat of Economic Law of the Ministry of Justice ("SDE") announced that it had initiated an investigation relating to alleged anticompetitive activities within the DRAM industry. The SDE's Notice of Investigation names various DRAM manufacturers and certain executives, including us, and focuses on the period from July 1998 to June 2002.

We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, except as noted in the above discussion of the U.S. indirect purchaser cases. The final resolution of these alleged violations of antitrust laws could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Securities Matters

On July 12, 2013, seven former shareholders of Elpida Memory, Inc. (now known as MMJ) filed a complaint against Messrs. Sakamoto, Adachi, Gomi, Shirai, Tsay-Jiu, Wataki, Kinoshita, and Takahasi in their capacity as members of the board of directors of MMJ as of February 2013. The complaint alleges that the defendants engaged in various acts and misrepresentations to hide the financial condition of MMJ and deceive shareholders prior to MMJ filing a petition for corporate reorganization on February 27, 2013. The plaintiffs seek joint and several damages equal to the market value of shares owned by each of the plaintiffs on February 23, 2013, along with attorneys' fees and interest. At a hearing on September 25, 2013, the plaintiffs withdrew the complaint against Mr. Tsay-Jiu.

We are unable to predict the outcome of this matter and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss.  The final resolution of this matter could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Qimonda

On January 20, 2011, Dr. Michael Jaffé, administrator for Qimonda AG ("Qimonda") insolvency proceedings, filed suit against Micron Technology, Inc. ("Micron Technology") and Micron Semiconductor B.V., our Netherlands subsidiary ("Micron B.V."), in the District Court of Munich, Civil Chamber. The complaint seeks to void under Section 133 of the German Insolvency Act a share purchase agreement between Micron B.V. and Qimonda signed in fall 2008 pursuant to which Micron B.V. purchased substantially all of Qimonda's shares of Inotera Memories, Inc. (the "Inotera Shares") and seeks an order requiring us to retransfer those shares to the Qimonda estate. The complaint also seeks, among other things, to recover damages for the alleged value of the joint venture relationship with Inotera and to terminate under Sections 103 or 133 of the German Insolvency Code a patent cross-license between us and Qimonda entered into at the same time as the share purchase agreement.


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Following a series of hearings with pleadings, arguments and witnesses on behalf of the Qimonda estate, on March 13, 2014, the Court issued judgments:  (1) ordering Micron B.V. to pay approximately $1 million in respect of certain Inotera shares sold in connection with the original share purchase; (2) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose certain information with respect to any Inotera Shares sold by it to third parties; (3) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose the benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares, including in particular, any profits distributed on such shares and all other benefits; (4) denying Qimonda’s claims against Micron Technology for any damages relating to the joint venture relationship with Inotera; and (5) determining that Qimonda's obligations under the patent cross-license agreement are cancelled. In addition, the Court issued interlocutory judgments ordering, among other things:  (1) that Micron B.V. transfer to the Qimonda estate the Inotera Shares still owned by it and pay to the Qimonda estate compensation in an amount to be specified for any Inotera Shares sold to third parties; and (2) that Micron B.V. pay the Qimonda estate as compensation an amount to be specified for benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares. The interlocutory judgments have no immediate, enforceable effect on us, and, accordingly, we expect to be able to continue to operate with full control of the Inotera Shares subject to further developments in the case. We have filed a notice of appeal, and the parties are in the process of submitting briefs to the appeals court.

We are unable to predict the outcome of the matter and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. The final resolution of this lawsuit could result in the loss of the Inotera shares or equivalent monetary damages, unspecified damages based on the benefits derived by Micron B.V. from the ownership of the Inotera Shares, and/or the termination of the patent cross-license, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation or financial condition.  As of May 29, 2014, the Inotera Shares had a carrying value for purposes of our financial reporting of $381 million and a market value of $1.66 billion.

(See "Item 1A. Risk Factors.")


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, the following are important factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

We have experienced dramatic declines in average selling prices for our semiconductor memory products which have adversely affected our business.

If average selling prices for our memory products decrease faster than we can decrease per gigabit costs, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected. We have experienced significant decreases in our average selling prices per gigabit in recent years as noted in the table below and may continue to experience such decreases in the future. In some prior periods, average selling prices for our memory products have been below our manufacturing costs and we may experience such circumstances in the future.

 
 
DRAM
 
 
Trade NAND Flash*
 
 
(percentage change in average selling prices)
2013 from 2012
 
(11)%
 
 
(18)%
2012 from 2011
 
(45)%
 
 
(55)%
2011 from 2010
 
(39)%
 
 
(12)%
2010 from 2009
 
28%
 
 
26%
2009 from 2008
 
(52)%
 
 
(52)%
* Trade NAND Flash excludes sales to Intel from IMFT.
 
 
 
 
 


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We may be unable to reduce our per gigabit manufacturing costs at the rate average selling prices decline.

Our gross margins are dependent upon continuing decreases in per gigabit manufacturing costs achieved through improvements in our manufacturing processes, including reducing the die size of our existing products. In future periods, we may be unable to reduce our per gigabit manufacturing costs at sufficient levels to improve or maintain gross margins. Factors that may limit our ability to reduce costs include, but are not limited to, strategic product diversification decisions affecting product mix, the increasing complexity of manufacturing processes, difficulty in transitioning to smaller line-width process technologies, technological barriers and changes in process technologies or products that may require relatively larger die sizes. Per gigabit manufacturing costs may also be affected by the relatively smaller production quantities and shorter product lifecycles of certain specialty memory products.

The semiconductor memory industry is highly competitive.

We face intense competition in the semiconductor memory market from a number of companies, including Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; SanDisk Corporation; SK Hynix Inc.; Spansion Inc. and Toshiba Corporation. Some of our competitors are large corporations or conglomerates that may have greater resources to withstand downturns in the semiconductor markets in which we compete, invest in technology and capitalize on growth opportunities. Our competitors seek to increase silicon capacity, improve yields, reduce die size and minimize mask levels in their product designs. Transitions to smaller line-width process technologies and product and process improvements have resulted in significant increases in the worldwide supply of semiconductor memory. Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory also result from semiconductor memory fab capacity expansions, either by way of new facilities, increased capacity utilization or reallocation of other semiconductor production to semiconductor memory production. Our competitors may increase capital expenditures resulting in future increases in worldwide supply. Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory, if not accompanied with commensurate increases in demand, would lead to further declines in average selling prices for our products and would materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Debt obligations could adversely affect our financial condition.

We are engaged in a capital intensive business subject to significant changes in supply and demand and product pricing and recent periods of consolidation, any of which could result in our incurrence or assumption of indebtedness. In recent periods, our debt levels have increased. As of May 29, 2014, we had debt with a carrying value of $5.65 billion. In addition, the conversion value in excess of principal amount for our convertible notes outstanding as of May 29, 2014 was $2.66 billion. In the first nine months of 2014, we paid $2.11 billion to repurchase and settle conversion obligations for convertible notes with a principal amount of $1.03 billion. As of May 29, 2014, we had two credit facilities available that provide for up to $408 million of additional financing, subject to outstanding balances of trade receivables and other conditions. Events and circumstances may occur which would cause us to not be able to satisfy the applicable drawdown conditions and utilize either of these facilities. We have in the past and expect in the future to continue to incur additional debt to finance our capital investments, including debt incurred in connection with asset-backed financing.

As of May 29, 2014, under the terms and conditions of the respective plans of reorganization of Elpida Memory, Inc. ("Elpida"), now known as Micron Memory Japan, Inc. ("MMJ") and Akita Elpida Memory, Inc., now known as Micron Akita, Inc. ("MAI" and, together with MMJ, the "MMJ Companies"), we are obligated to pay the secured and unsecured creditors 142 billion yen (or the equivalent of $1.40 billion based on exchange rates as of May 29, 2014). If the resolution of certain unfixed claims under the plans of reorganization, primarily comprised of outstanding litigation claims, would result in payments in respect of those claims in excess of amounts reserved under the plans of reorganization to satisfy such claims, there is a possibility that we could be required to pay more than 142 billion yen to the pre-petition creditors of the MMJ Companies under the plans of reorganization. In addition, if unfixed claims of the MMJ Companies are resolved pursuant to settlement arrangements or other post-petition agreements, a substantial portion of the amounts payable with respect to the claims may have to be funded by the MMJ Companies outside of the installment payments provided for by the plans of reorganization.

Our debt obligations could adversely impact us. For example, these obligations could:

require us to use a large portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on debt, which will reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development expenditures and other business activities;
continue to dilute our earnings per share as a result of the conversion provisions in our convertible notes;
require us to continue to pay cash amounts substantially in excess of the principal amounts upon settlement of our convertible notes to minimize dilution of our earnings per share;

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limit our future ability to raise funds for capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions or business opportunities, research and development and other general corporate requirements;
contribute to a future downgrade of our credit rating, which could increase future borrowing costs; and
increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and semiconductor memory industry conditions.

Our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt instruments depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that additional capital will be available to us, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our debt payment obligations and to fund other liquidity needs. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. If we were unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may be unable to meet our debt payment obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain access to external financing necessary to fund our operations, make scheduled debt payments and make adequate capital investments.

Our cash flows from operations depend primarily on the volume of semiconductor memory sold, average selling prices and per unit manufacturing costs. To develop new product and process technologies, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies and maintain product quality, we must make significant capital investments in manufacturing technology, capital equipment, facilities, R&D and product and process technology. We estimate that capital spending for 2014 will be approximately $2.8 billion to $3.2 billion. In addition, as a result of the MMJ acquisition, we believe that our future capital spending will be higher than our historical levels as we integrate our manufacturing operations and support the increase of capacity resulting from the MMJ transaction. As of May 29, 2014, we had cash and equivalents of $4.06 billion, short-term investments of $202 million and long-term marketable investments of $545 million. Cash and investments included $2.58 billion held by MMJ and its consolidated subsidiaries and $84 million held by IM Flash Technologies, LLC ("IMFT"), none of which is generally available to finance our other operations.

As a result of the Japan Proceedings, for so long as such proceedings are continuing, the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions on dividends, loans and advances. The plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies prohibit the MMJ Companies from paying dividends, including any cash dividends, to us and require that excess earnings be used in their businesses or to fund the MMJ Companies' installment payments. These prohibitions would also effectively prevent the subsidiaries of the MMJ Companies from paying cash dividends to us in respect of the shares of such subsidiaries owned by the MMJ Companies, as any such dividends would have to be first paid to the MMJ Companies which are prohibited from repaying those amounts to us as dividends under the plans of reorganization. In addition, pursuant to an order of the Japan Court, the MMJ Companies cannot make loans or advances, other than certain ordinary course advances, to us without the consent of the Japan Court. Moreover, loans or advances by subsidiaries of the MMJ Companies may be considered outside of the ordinary course of business and subject to approval of the legal trustees and Japan Court. As a result, the assets of the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries, while available to satisfy the MMJ Companies' installment payments and the other obligations, capital expenditures and other operating needs of the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries, are not available for use by us in our other operations. Moreover, certain uses of the assets of the MMJ Companies, including investments in certain capital expenditures in Micron Memory Taiwan Co., Ltd. ("MMT"), formerly known as Rexchip Electronics Corporation ("Rexchip''), may require consent of MMJ's trustees and/or the Japan Court.

In the past we have utilized external sources of financing when needed. As a result of our current debt levels, expected debt amortization and general economic conditions, it may be difficult for us to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows, use cash held by MMJ to fund its capital expenditures, access capital markets or find other sources of financing to fund our operations, make debt amortization payments and make adequate capital investments to remain competitive in terms of technology development and cost efficiency. Our inability to do the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.


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The acquisition of our ownership interest in Inotera from Qimonda has been challenged by the administrator of the insolvency proceedings for Qimonda.

On January 20, 2011, Dr. Michael Jaffé, administrator for Qimonda AG ("Qimonda") insolvency proceedings, filed suit against Micron Technology, Inc. ("Micron Technology") and Micron Semiconductor B.V., our Netherlands subsidiary ("Micron B.V."), in the District Court of Munich, Civil Chamber. The complaint seeks to void under Section 133 of the German Insolvency Act a share purchase agreement between Micron B.V. and Qimonda signed in fall 2008 pursuant to which Micron B.V. purchased substantially all of Qimonda's shares of Inotera Memories, Inc. (the "Inotera Shares") and seeks an order requiring us to retransfer those shares to the Qimonda estate. The complaint also seeks, among other things, to recover damages for the alleged value of the joint venture relationship with Inotera and to terminate under Sections 103 or 133 of the German Insolvency Code a patent cross-license between us and Qimonda entered into at the same time as the share purchase agreement.

Following a series of hearings with pleadings, arguments and witnesses on behalf of the Qimonda estate, on March 13, 2014, the Court issued judgments:  (1) ordering Micron B.V. to pay approximately $1 million in respect of certain Inotera shares sold in connection with the original share purchase; (2) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose certain information with respect to any Inotera Shares sold by it to third parties; (3) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose the benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares, including in particular, any profits distributed on such shares and all other benefits; (4) denying Qimonda’s claims against Micron Technology for any damages relating to the joint venture relationship with Inotera; and (5) determining that Qimonda's obligations under the patent cross-license agreement are cancelled. In addition, the Court issued interlocutory judgments ordering, among other things:  (1) that Micron B.V. transfer to the Qimonda estate the Inotera Shares still owned by it and pay to the Qimonda estate compensation in an amount to be specified for any Inotera Shares sold to third parties; and (2) that Micron B.V. pay the Qimonda estate as compensation an amount to be specified for benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares. The interlocutory judgments have no immediate, enforceable effect on us, and, accordingly, we expect to be able to continue to operate with full control of the Inotera Shares subject to further developments in the case. We have filed a notice of appeal, and the parties are in the process of submitting briefs to the appeals court.

We are unable to predict the outcome of the matter and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. The final resolution of this lawsuit could result in the loss of the Inotera shares or equivalent monetary damages, unspecified damages based on the benefits derived by Micron B.V. from the ownership of the Inotera Shares, and/or the termination of the patent cross-license, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation or financial condition.  As of May 29, 2014, the Inotera Shares had a carrying value for purposes of our financial reporting of $381 million and a market value of $1.66 billion.

The operations of the MMJ Companies will be subject to continued oversight by the Japan Court during the pendency of the corporate reorganization proceedings.

Because the plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies provide for ongoing payments to creditors following the closing of our acquisition of MMJ, the Japan Proceedings are continuing, and the MMJ Companies remain subject to the oversight of the Japan Court and of the trustees (including a trustee designated by us, who we refer to as the business trustee, and a trustee designated by the Japan Court, who we refer to as the legal trustee), pending completion of the Japan Proceedings. The Japan Proceedings and oversight of the Japan Court are expected to continue until the final creditor payment is made under the MMJ Companies' plans of reorganization, which is scheduled to occur in December 2019, but may occur on a later date to the extent any claims of creditors remain unfixed on the final scheduled installment payment date. Although we may be able to petition the court to terminate the Japan Proceedings once two-thirds of all payments under the plans of reorganization are made, there can be no assurance that the Japan Court will grant any such petition.

During the pendency of the Japan Proceedings, the MMJ Companies are obligated to provide periodic financial reports to the Japan Court and may be required to obtain the consent of the Japan Court prior to taking a number of significant actions relating to their businesses, including transferring or disposing of, or acquiring, certain material assets, incurring or guaranteeing material indebtedness, settling disputes or entering into certain material agreements. The consent of the legal trustee may also be required for matters that would likely have a material impact on the operations or assets of the MMJ Companies and their subsidiaries or for transfers of material assets, to the extent the matters or transfers would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect execution of the plans of reorganization of the MMJ Companies. Accordingly, during the pendency of the Japan Proceedings, our ability to effectively integrate the MMJ Companies as part of our global operations or to cause the MMJ Companies to take certain actions that we deem advisable for their businesses could be adversely affected if the Japan Court or the legal trustee is unwilling to consent to various actions that we may wish to take with respect to the MMJ Companies.


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Our acquisitions of MMJ and MMT may increase our risk of significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting.

MMJ and MMT have not performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the design and operation of their internal control over financial reporting. In addition, MMJ and MMT have not historically prepared their financial statements under U.S. generally accepted accounting standards. MMJ and MMT were not required to be included in our assessment of internal controls for 2013 but will be included in our assessment for 2014, which may increase our risk for material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

Our acquisitions of MMJ and MMT involve numerous risks.

On July 31, 2013, we acquired MMJ and 89% of MMT for an aggregate of $949 million in cash. In the third and second quarters of 2014, we purchased an additional aggregate 10.6% of MMT's outstanding common stock.

In addition to the acquisition risks described elsewhere, these acquisitions are expected to involve the following significant risks:

we may be unable to maintain customers, successfully execute our integration strategies, or achieve planned synergies;
we may be unable to accurately forecast the anticipated financial results of the combined business;
our consolidated financial condition may be adversely impacted by the increased leverage resulting from the transactions;
deterioration of MMJ's and MMT's operations and customer base following closing;
increased exposure to operating costs denominated in yen and New Taiwan dollar;
integration issues with MMJ's and MMT's primary manufacturing operations in Japan and Taiwan;
integration issues of our product and process technology with MMJ and MMT;
integration of business systems and processes; and
an overlap in customers.

Our acquisitions of MMJ and MMT are inherently risky, may not be successful and may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our future success depends on our ability to develop and produce competitive new memory technologies.

Our key semiconductor memory technologies of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash face technological barriers to continue to meet long-term customer needs. These barriers include potential limitations on the ability to shrink products in order to reduce costs, meet higher density requirements and improve power consumption and reliability. To meet these requirements, we expect that new memory technologies will be developed by the semiconductor memory industry. Our competitors are working to develop new memory technologies that may offer performance and/or cost advantages to our existing memory technologies and render existing technologies obsolete. Accordingly, our future success may depend on our ability to develop and produce viable and competitive new memory technologies. There can be no assurance of the following:

that we will be successful in developing competitive new semiconductor memory technologies;
that we will be able to cost-effectively manufacture new products;
that we will be able to successfully market these technologies; and
that margins generated from sales of these products will allow us to recover costs of development efforts.

If our efforts to develop new semiconductor memory technologies are unsuccessful, our business, results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected.

New product development may be unsuccessful.

We are developing new products that complement our traditional memory products or leverage their underlying design or process technology. We have made significant investments in product and process technologies and anticipate expending significant resources for new semiconductor product development over the next several years. The process to develop DRAM, NAND Flash, NOR Flash and certain specialty memory products requires us to demonstrate advanced functionality and performance, many times well in advance of a planned ramp of production, in order to secure design wins with our customers. There can be no assurance that our product development efforts will be successful, that we will be able to cost-effectively manufacture new products, that we will be able to successfully market these products or that margins generated from sales of these products will allow us to recover costs of development efforts.

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Products that fail to meet specifications, are defective or that are otherwise incompatible with end uses could impose significant costs on us.

Products that do not meet specifications or that contain, or are perceived by our customers to contain, defects or that are otherwise incompatible with end uses could impose significant costs on us or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. From time to time we experience problems with nonconforming, defective or incompatible products after we have shipped such products. In recent periods we have further diversified and expanded our product offerings which could potentially increase the chance that one or more of our products could fail to meet specifications in a particular application. As a result of these problems we could be adversely affected in several ways, including the following:

we may be required to compensate customers for costs incurred or damages caused by defective or incompatible product or replace products;
we could incur a decrease in revenue or adjustment to pricing commensurate with the reimbursement of such costs or alleged damages; and
we may encounter adverse publicity, which could cause a decrease in sales of our products.

A determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others or entering into a license agreement covering such intellectual property could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

As is typical in the semiconductor and other high technology industries, from time to time others have asserted, and may in the future assert, that our products or manufacturing processes infringe their intellectual property rights. We are unable to predict the outcome of assertions of infringement made against us. A court determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our products and/or manufacturing processes. Any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. (See "Item 1. Legal Proceedings.")

We have a number of intellectual property license agreements. Some of these license agreements require us to make one time or periodic payments. We may need to obtain additional patent licenses or renew existing license agreements in the future. We are unable to predict whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on acceptable terms.

Our Inotera Supply Agreement involves numerous risks.

We have a supply agreement with Inotera (the "Inotera Supply Agreement") under which we are obligated to purchase substantially all of Inotera's DRAM output at a purchase price based on a discount from market prices for our comparable components over an initial three-year term. For the third quarter of 2014, we purchased $700 million of DRAM products from Inotera and our supply from Inotera accounted for 40% of our aggregate DRAM gigabit production. Our Inotera Supply Agreement involves numerous risks including the following:

higher costs for supply obtained under the market-based provisions of the Inotera Supply Agreement relative to our wholly-owned facilities;
difficulties and delays in ramping production at Inotera and delays in the future; and
difficulties in transferring technology to Inotera.

If our supply of DRAM from Inotera is impacted, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our joint ventures and strategic relationships involve numerous risks.

We have entered into strategic relationships to manufacture products and develop new manufacturing process technologies and products. These relationships include our IMFT NAND Flash joint venture with Intel Corporation ("Intel"), our Inotera DRAM joint venture with Nanya and our MP Mask joint venture with Photronics. These joint ventures and strategic relationships are subject to various risks that could adversely affect the value of our investments and our results of operations. These risks include the following:

our interests could diverge from our partners or we may not be able to agree with partners on ongoing manufacturing and operational activities, or on the amount, timing or nature of further investments in our joint venture;

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we may experience difficulties in transferring technology to joint ventures;
we may experience difficulties and delays in ramping production at joint ventures;
our control over the operations of our joint ventures is limited;
we may recognize losses from our equity investment in Inotera in future results of operations;
due to financial constraints, our joint venture partners may be unable to meet their commitments to us or our joint ventures and may pose credit risks for our transactions with them;
due to differing business models or long-term business goals, our partners may decide not to join us in funding capital investment by our joint ventures, which may result in higher levels of cash expenditures by us;
cash flows may be inadequate to fund increased capital requirements;
we may experience difficulties or delays in collecting amounts due to us from our joint ventures and partners;
the terms of our partnering arrangements may turn out to be unfavorable; and
changes in tax, legal or regulatory requirements may necessitate changes in the agreements with our partners.

If our joint ventures and strategic relationships are unsuccessful, our business, results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected.

We may incur additional restructure or other charges in future periods.

In recent periods, we have implemented restructure activities and may implement restructure initiatives in future periods. As a result, we could incur restructure charges (including but not limited to severance and other termination benefits, losses on disposition or impairment of equipment or other long-lived assets and inventory write downs), lose production output, lose key personnel and experience disruptions in our operations and difficulties in the timely delivery of products. In connection with these actions, we recorded charges of $18 million in the first nine months of 2014 and $126 million in 2013. We anticipate incurring restructure charges of $15 million to $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 for employee termination benefits in Agrate, Italy. We may incur additional restructure charges or other losses associated with other initiatives in future periods.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Across our multi-national operations, there are transactions and balances denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (our reporting currency), primarily the euro, the shekel, the Singapore dollar, the New Taiwan dollar, the yen and the yuan. We recorded net losses from changes in currency exchange rates of $229 million for 2013 and $6 million for 2012. Based on our foreign currency exposures from monetary assets and liabilities, offset by balance sheet hedges, we estimate that a 10% adverse change in exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar would result in losses of approximately $13 million as of May 29, 2014. In the event that the exchange rates for U.S. dollar adversely change against our foreign currency exposures in the euro, Singapore dollar, New Taiwan dollar or yen, our results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected.

As of May 29, 2014, we had obligations to make payments to the secured and unsecured creditors of the MMJ Companies in an aggregate amount of 142 billion yen (or the equivalent of $1.40 billion based on exchange rates as of May 29, 2014). The U.S. dollar amount of this payment obligation could increase if the yen strengthens against the U.S. dollar. As of May 29, 2014, to hedge certain yen-denominated payments resulting from our acquisition of MMJ, we had an outstanding forward contract to purchase 20 billion yen on November 28, 2014 at a yen per U.S. dollar exchange rate of 98.53 and a forward contract to purchase 10 billion yen on November 27, 2015 at a yen per U.S. dollar exchange rate of 97.25. A significant portion of MMJ's and MMT's operating costs are paid in yen and New Taiwan dollars so our operating results could also be adversely impacted if the exchange rates for those currencies to USD change adversely.


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If our manufacturing process is disrupted, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We manufacture products using highly complex processes that require technologically advanced equipment and continuous modification to improve yields and performance. Difficulties in the manufacturing process or the effects from a shift in product mix can reduce yields or disrupt production and may increase our per gigabit manufacturing costs. We maintain operations and continuously implement new product and process technology at our manufacturing operations which are widely dispersed in multiple locations in several countries including the U.S., Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and China. Additionally, our control over operations at our IMFT, Inotera, MP Mask and Tera Probe joint ventures is limited by our agreements with our partners. From time to time, we have experienced disruptions in our manufacturing process as a result of power outages, improperly functioning equipment and equipment failures. If production at a fabrication facility is disrupted for any reason, manufacturing yields may be adversely affected or we may be unable to meet our customers' requirements and they may purchase products from other suppliers. This could result in a significant increase in manufacturing costs or loss of revenues or damage to customer relationships, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We may make future acquisitions and/or alliances, which involve numerous risks.

Acquisitions and the formation or operation of alliances, such as joint ventures and other partnering arrangements, involve numerous risks including the following:

integrating the operations, technologies and products of acquired or newly formed entities into our operations;
increasing capital expenditures to upgrade and maintain facilities;
increased debt levels;
the assumption of unknown or underestimated liabilities;
the use of cash to finance a transaction, which may reduce the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures and other business activities;
diverting management's attention from normal daily operations;
managing larger or more complex operations and facilities and employees in separate and diverse geographic areas;
hiring and retaining key employees;
requirements imposed by governmental authorities in connection with the regulatory review of a transaction, which may include, among other things, divestitures or restrictions on the conduct of our business or the acquired business;
inability to realize synergies or other expected benefits;
failure to maintain customer, vendor and other relationships;
inadequacy or ineffectiveness of an acquired company's internal financial controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and/or environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption, human resource, or other policies or practices; and
impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill as a result of changing business conditions, technological advancements or worse-than-expected performance of the acquired business.

In recent years, supply of memory products has significantly exceeded customer demand resulting in significant declines in average selling prices for DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash products. Resulting operating losses have led to the deterioration in the financial condition of a number of industry participants, including the liquidation of Qimonda AG and the 2012 bankruptcy filing by Elpida (now known as MMJ). These types of proceedings often lead to confidential court-directed processes involving the sale of related businesses or assets. We believe the global memory industry is experiencing a period of consolidation as a result of these market conditions and other factors, and we may engage in discussions regarding potential acquisitions and similar opportunities arising out of these industry conditions. To the extent we are successful in completing any such transactions, we could be subject to some or all of the risks described above, including the risks pertaining to funding, assumption of liabilities, integration challenges and increases in debt that may accompany such transactions. Acquisitions of, or alliances with, high-technology companies are inherently risky and may not be successful and may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.


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Consolidation of industry participants and governmental assistance to some of our competitors may contribute to uncertainty in the semiconductor memory industry and negatively impact our ability to compete.

In recent years, supply of memory products has significantly exceeded customer demand resulting in significant declines in average selling prices of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash products and substantial operating losses by us and our competitors. The operating losses as well as limited access to sources of financing have led to the deterioration in the financial condition of a number of industry participants and significant recent consolidation and, in certain cases, liquidation. Some of our competitors may try to enhance their capacity and lower their cost structure through consolidation. In addition, some governments have provided, and may be considering providing, significant financial assistance to some of our competitors. Consolidation of industry competitors could put us at a competitive disadvantage.

The limited availability of raw materials, supplies or capital equipment could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our operations require raw materials that meet exacting standards. We generally have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials. However, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain raw materials that meet our standards. In some cases, materials are provided by a single supplier. Various factors could reduce the availability of raw materials such as silicon wafers, photomasks, chemicals, gases, photoresist, lead frames and molding compound. Shortages may occur from time to time in the future. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of raw materials. Lead times for the supply of raw materials have been extended in the past. If our supply of raw materials is disrupted or our lead times extended, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our operations are dependent on our ability to procure advanced semiconductor equipment that enables the transition to lower cost manufacturing processes. For certain key types of equipment, including photolithography tools, we are sometimes dependent on a single supplier. From time to time we have experienced difficulties in obtaining some equipment on a timely basis due to the supplier's limited capacity. Our inability to timely obtain this equipment could adversely affect our ability to transition to next generation manufacturing processes and reduce costs. Delays in obtaining equipment could also impede our ability to ramp production at new facilities and increase our overall costs of the ramp. If we are unable to timely obtain advanced semiconductor equipment, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be limited.

As of August 29, 2013, we had a valuation allowance against substantially all U.S. net deferred tax assets as well as $1.5 billion related to our foreign subsidiaries. As of August 29, 2013, our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards were $4.2 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.  If not utilized, our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various dates through 2033.  As of August 29, 2013, our federal and state tax credit carryforwards were $238 million and $203 million, respectively.  If not utilized, our federal and state tax credit carryforwards will expire at various dates through 2033. As of August 29, 2013, our foreign net operating loss carryforwards were $7.0 billion, of which $5.9 billion pertains to MMJ. We have placed a valuation allowance against $4.7 billion of these foreign net operating loss carryforwards, of which $3.8 billion pertains to MMJ.  If not utilized, our foreign net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various dates through 2023.

A downturn in the worldwide economy may harm our business.

Downturns in the worldwide economy have harmed our business in the past and future downturns could also adversely affect our business. Adverse economic conditions affect demand for devices that incorporate our products, such as personal computers, mobile devices, solid-state drives and servers. Reduced demand for these products could result in significant decreases in our average selling prices and product sales. A deterioration of current conditions in worldwide credit markets could limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures. In addition, we may experience losses on our holdings of cash and investments due to failures of financial institutions and other parties. Difficult economic conditions may also result in a higher rate of loss on our accounts receivables due to credit defaults. As a result, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.


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Our results of operations could be affected by natural disasters and other events in the locations in which we or our customers or suppliers operate.

We have manufacturing and other operations in locations subject to natural occurrences such as severe weather and geological events including earthquakes or tsunamis that could disrupt operations.  In addition, our suppliers and customers also have operations in such locations.  A natural disaster, fire, chemical explosion or other event that results in a prolonged disruption to our operations, or the operations of our customers or suppliers, may adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We face risks associated with our international sales and operations that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Sales to customers outside the United States approximated 83% of our consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2014. In addition, a substantial portion of our manufacturing operations are located outside the United States. In particular, a significant portion of our manufacturing operations are concentrated in Taiwan, Singapore and Japan. Our international sales and operations are subject to a variety of risks, including:

export and import duties, changes to import and export regulations, and restrictions on the transfer of funds;
compliance with U.S. and international laws involving international operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, export control laws and similar rules and regulations;
political and economic instability;
problems with the transportation or delivery of our products;
issues arising from cultural or language differences and labor unrest;
longer payment cycles and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;
compliance with trade, technical standards and other laws in a variety of jurisdictions;
contractual and regulatory limitations on our ability to maintain flexibility with our staffing levels;
disruptions to our manufacturing operations as a result of actions imposed by foreign governments;
changes in economic policies of foreign governments; and
difficulties in staffing and managing international operations.

These factors may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Breaches of our network security could expose us to losses.

We manage and store on our network systems, various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our operations. We also process, store, and transmit large amounts of data for our customers, including sensitive personal information. Computer programmers and hackers may be able to gain unauthorized access to our network system and steal proprietary information, compromise confidential information, create system disruptions, or cause shutdowns. These parties may also be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that disrupt our operations and create security vulnerabilities. Attacks on our network systems could result in significant losses and damage our reputation with customers.

We are subject to counterparty default risks.

We have numerous arrangements with financial institutions that subject us to counterparty default risks, including cash deposits, investments, capped-call contracts on our stock and derivative instruments. As a result, we are subject to the risk that the counterparty to one or more of these arrangements will default on its performance obligations. A counterparty may not comply with their contractual commitments which could then lead to their defaulting on their obligations with little or no notice to us, which could limit our ability to take action to mitigate our exposure. Additionally, our ability to mitigate our exposures may be constrained by the terms of our contractual arrangements or because market conditions prevent us from taking effective action. If one of our counterparties becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, our ability to recover any losses suffered as a result of that counterparty's default may be limited by the liquidity of the counterparty or the applicable laws governing the bankruptcy proceeding. In the event of such default, we could incur significant losses, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.


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Compliance with new regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals could limit the supply and increase the cost of certain metals used in manufacturing our products.

Increased focus on environmental protection and social responsibility initiatives led to the passage of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and its implementing SEC regulations.  The Dodd-Frank Act imposes new supply chain diligence and disclosure requirements for certain manufacturers of products containing specific minerals that may originate in or near the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the "DRC") and finance or benefit local armed groups. These "conflict minerals" are commonly found in materials used in the manufacture of semiconductors. The implementation of these new regulations may limit the sourcing and availability of some of these materials. This in turn may affect our ability to obtain materials necessary for the manufacture of our products in sufficient quantities and may affect related material pricing.  Some of our customers may elect to disqualify us as a supplier if we are unable to verify that our products are DRC conflict free.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2014, we and the counterparties agreed to terminate a portion of our 2031 Capped Calls. We elected share settlement and received 3,152,108 shares. During the third quarter of 2014, we also acquired, as payment of withholding taxes or exercise prices in connection with the vesting or exercise of equity awards, 100,687 shares of our common stock at an average price per share of $24.76. We retired these shares in the third quarter of 2014.

Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
February 28, 2014
-
April 3, 2014
 
98,335

 
$
24.75

 
N/A
 
N/A
April 4, 2014
-
May 1, 2014
 
923

 
23.07

 
N/A
 
N/A
May 2, 2014
-
May 29, 2014
 
3,153,537

 
27.24

 
N/A
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
3,252,795

 
27.17

 
 
 
 


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (1)
3.2
 
Bylaws of the Registrant, Amended and Restated (2)
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
_______________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2001
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 9, 2014



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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.

 
 
Micron Technology, Inc.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 3, 2014
/s/ Ronald C. Foster
 
 
Ronald C. Foster
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)