Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

News Summary

  • Revenue was $4.38 billion, up 6% year-over-year (YoY). Cloud revenue increased by 25%, Client revenue declined by 2%, and Consumer revenue declined 8% YoY.
  • GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $0.08 and Non-GAAP EPS was $1.65.
  • Generated operating cash flow of $398 million and free cash flow of $148 million.
  • Expect fiscal fourth quarter 2022 revenue to be in the range of $4.50 billion to $4.70 billion with Non-GAAP EPS in the range of $1.60 to $1.90.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--()--Western Digital Corp. (Nasdaq: WDC) today reported fiscal third quarter 2022 financial results.

"The entire Western Digital team worked together to deliver excellent financial performance while navigating a dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, as well as ongoing supply challenges. This has all been made possible by the operational and portfolio improvements we have made over the last couple of years, which enable us to unlock the earnings power of the Western Digital model,” said David Goeckeler, Western Digital CEO. "Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the business outlook for calendar year 2022. We believe the secular demand for storage and our new product ramps in HDD and flash will drive growth across our end markets."

Q3 2022 Financial Highlights

 

 

GAAP

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

Q3 2022

Q2 2022

Q/Q

 

Q3 2022

Q2 2022

Q/Q

Revenue ($M)

 

$4,381

$4,833

down 9%

 

$4,381

$4,833

down 9%

Gross Margin

 

27.0%

32.8%

down 5.8 ppt

 

31.7%

33.6%

down 1.9 ppt

Operating Expenses ($M)

 

$857

$856

 

$740

$741

Operating Income ($M)

 

$324

$727

down 55%

 

$650

$882

down 26%

Net Income ($M)

 

$25

$564

down 96%

 

$521

$724

down 28%

Earnings Per Share

 

$0.08

$1.79

down 96%

 

$1.65

$2.30

down 28%

 

 

GAAP

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

Q3 2022

Q3 2021

Y/Y

 

Q3 2022

Q3 2021

Y/Y

Revenue ($M)

 

$4,381

$4,137

up 6%

 

$4,381

$4,137

up 6%

Gross Margin

 

27.0%

26.4%

up 0.6 ppt

 

31.7%

27.7%

up 4.0 ppt

Operating Expenses ($M)

 

$857

$774

up 11%

 

$740

$732

up 1%

Operating Income ($M)

 

$324

$317

up 2%

 

$650

$412

up 58%

Net Income ($M)

 

$25

$197

down 87%

 

$521

$318

up 64%

Earnings Per Share

$0.08

$0.63

down 87%

$1.65

$1.02

up 62%

The company generated $398 million in cash flow from operations, made a discretionary debt repayment of $150 million and ended the quarter with $2.51 billion of total cash and cash equivalents.

Additional details can be found within the company’s earnings presentation, which is accessible online at investor.wdc.com.

End Market Summary

 

 Revenue ($M)

Q3 2022

Q2 2022

Q/Q

Q3 2021

Y/Y

 Cloud

$ 1,774

$ 1,920

down 8%

$ 1,423

up 25%

 Client

1,732

1,854

down 7%

1,767

down 2%

 Consumer

875

1,059

down 17%

947

down 8%

 Total Revenue

$4,381

$4,833

down 9%

$4,137

up 6%

Cloud represented 40% of total revenue. Western Digital’s leadership position at the 18-terabyte capacity point, and ramp of 20-terabyte drives, drove a nearly 40% year-over-year increase in nearline revenue. This growth was partially offset by lower enterprise SSD and smart video hard drive revenues.

Client accounted for 40% of total revenue. Within client SSD, demand from PC OEM customers improved as they worked through their own supply chain issues. The sequential decrease in revenue was primarily due to typical seasonality in both flash for mobile and client hard drives.

Consumer represented 20% of total revenue. On a sequential basis, the decline was led by lower retail flash shipments. Western Digital drove 35% year-over-year growth in average capacity per unit in consumer flash, building on the broad consumer recognition of the strength and the value of its brands, including WD_BLACK, SanDisk and SanDisk Professional.

Business Outlook for Fiscal Fourth Quarter of 2022

 

Three Months Ending

July 1, 2022

 

GAAP(1)

 

Non-GAAP(1)

Revenue ($B)

$4.50 - $4.70

 

$4.50 - $4.70

Gross margin

30.0% - 32.0%

 

31.0% - 33.0%

Operating expenses ($M)

$880 - $900

 

$770 - $790

Interest and other expense, net ($M)

~$80

 

~$70

Tax rate

N/A

 

~11%(2)

Diluted earnings per share

N/A

 

$1.60 - $1.90

Diluted shares outstanding (in millions)

~317

 

~317

(1) Non-GAAP gross margin guidance excludes contamination related charges and stock-based compensation expense, totaling approximately $25 million to $35 million. The company’s Non-GAAP operating expenses guidance excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense, totaling approximately $100 million to $120 million. The company's Non-GAAP interest and other expense guidance excludes approximately $10 million of non-cash economic interest and other. In the aggregate, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance excludes these items totaling $135 million to $165 million. The timing and amount of these charges excluded from Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating expenses, Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share cannot be further allocated or quantified with certainty. Additionally, the timing and amount of additional charges the company excludes from its Non-GAAP tax rate and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are dependent on the timing and determination of certain actions and cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, full reconciliations of Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating expenses, Non-GAAP interest and other expense, Non-GAAP tax rate and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures (gross margin, operating expenses, interest and other expense, tax rate and diluted earnings per share, respectively) are not available without unreasonable effort.

 

(2) The Non-GAAP tax rate provided is based on a percentage of Non-GAAP pre-tax income. Due to differences in the tax treatment of items excluded from our Non-GAAP net income and because our tax rate is based on an estimated forecasted annual GAAP tax rate, our estimated Non-GAAP tax rate may differ from our GAAP tax rate and from our actual tax rates.

Investor Communications

The investment community conference call to discuss these results and the company’s business outlook for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2022 will be broadcast live online today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific/4:30 p.m. Eastern. The live and archived conference call/webcast and the earnings presentation can be accessed online at investor.wdc.com.

About Western Digital

Western Digital is on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. With both Flash and HDD franchises, underpinned by advancements in memory technologies, we create breakthrough innovations and powerful data storage solutions that enable the world to actualize its aspirations. Core to our values, we recognize the urgency to combat climate change and have committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Learn more about Western Digital and the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands at www.westerndigital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding expectations for the company’s business outlook and financial performance for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2022 and remaining calendar year 2022; expectations for demand trends, product ramps and market conditions; and expectations regarding our product portfolio and momentum. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The preliminary financial results for the company’s third quarter ended April 1, 2022 included in this press release represent the most current information available to management. The company’s actual results when disclosed in its Form 10-Q may differ from these preliminary results as a result of the completion of the company’s financial closing procedures; final adjustments; completion of the review by the company’s independent registered accounting firm; and other developments that may arise between now and the disclosure of the final results. Other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: future responses to and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; volatility in global economic conditions; impact of business and market conditions; impact of competitive products and pricing; our development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets; risks associated with cost saving initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures and our strategic relationships; difficulties or delays in manufacturing or other supply chain disruptions; hiring and retention of key employees; our substantial level of debt and other financial obligations; changes to our relationships with key customers; disruptions in operations from cyberattacks or other system security risks; actions by competitors; risks associated with compliance with changing legal and regulatory requirements and the outcome of legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 27, 2021, to which your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events, except as required by law.

Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, SanDisk and WD are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries.

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)

 

 

April 1,
2022

 

July 2,
2021

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,505

 

$

3,370

Accounts receivable, net

 

2,353

 

 

2,257

Inventories

 

3,661

 

 

3,616

Other current assets

 

659

 

 

514

Total current assets

 

9,178

 

 

9,757

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

3,488

 

 

3,188

Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures

 

1,417

 

 

1,586

Goodwill

 

10,061

 

 

10,066

Other intangible assets, net

 

252

 

 

442

Other non-current assets

 

1,303

 

 

1,093

Total assets

$

25,699

 

$

26,132

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

1,836

 

$

1,934

Accounts payable to related parties

 

396

 

 

398

Accrued expenses

 

1,605

 

 

1,653

Accrued compensation

 

485

 

 

634

Current portion of long-term debt

 

75

 

 

251

Total current liabilities

 

4,397

 

 

4,870

Long-term debt

 

7,087

 

 

8,474

Other liabilities

 

2,231

 

 

2,067

Total liabilities

 

13,715

 

 

15,411

Total shareholders’ equity

 

11,984

 

 

10,721

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

25,699

 

$

26,132

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

Revenue, net

$

4,381

 

 

$

4,137

 

 

$

14,265

 

 

$

12,002

 

Cost of revenue

 

3,200

 

 

 

3,046

 

 

 

9,836

 

 

 

9,047

 

Gross profit

 

1,181

 

 

 

1,091

 

 

 

4,429

 

 

 

2,955

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

572

 

 

 

555

 

 

 

1,725

 

 

 

1,645

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

281

 

 

 

287

 

 

 

851

 

 

 

808

 

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges

 

4

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

(43

)

Total operating expenses

 

857

 

 

 

774

 

 

 

2,600

 

 

 

2,410

 

Operating income

 

324

 

 

 

317

 

 

 

1,829

 

 

 

545

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

(62

)

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(217

)

 

 

(214

)

Income before taxes

 

262

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

1,612

 

 

 

331

 

Income tax expense

 

237

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

413

 

 

 

132

 

Net income

$

25

 

 

$

197

 

 

$

1,199

 

 

$

199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

$

3.84

 

 

$

0.65

 

Diluted

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.63

 

 

$

3.79

 

 

$

0.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

313

 

 

 

306

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

305

 

Diluted

 

316

 

 

 

313

 

 

 

316

 

 

 

308

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

25

 

 

$

197

 

 

$

1,199

 

 

$

199

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

216

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

708

 

 

 

961

 

Stock-based compensation

 

86

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

239

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3

 

 

 

(36

)

 

 

41

 

 

 

(41

)

Gain on disposal of assets

 

(15

)

 

 

(66

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(65

)

Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts

 

13

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

30

 

Other non-cash operating activities, net

 

29

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

42

 

 

 

(26

)

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

390

 

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(96

)

 

 

474

 

Inventories

 

(15

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(613

)

Accounts payable

 

(196

)

 

 

(209

)

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(139

)

Accounts payable to related parties

 

7

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(10

)

Accrued expenses

 

(95

)

 

 

173

 

 

 

(48

)

 

 

251

 

Accrued compensation

 

(83

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(149

)

 

 

22

 

Other assets and liabilities, net

 

33

 

 

 

(73

)

 

 

(234

)

 

 

(378

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

398

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

1,585

 

 

 

904

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net

 

(290

)

 

 

(162

)

 

 

(829

)

 

 

(699

)

Activity related to Flash Ventures, net

 

40

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

129

 

Strategic Investments and other, net

 

(3

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

8

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(253

)

 

 

(126

)

 

 

(822

)

 

 

(562

)

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock plans, net

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

20

 

Repayment of debt

 

(3,150

)

 

 

(212

)

 

 

(5,575

)

 

 

(673

)

Proceeds from debt

 

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,998

 

 

 

 

Debt issuance costs

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(167

)

 

 

(212

)

 

 

(1,623

)

 

 

(662

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

6

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(26

)

 

 

(222

)

 

 

(865

)

 

 

(314

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

2,531

 

 

 

2,956

 

 

 

3,370

 

 

 

3,048

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

2,505

 

 

$

2,734

 

 

$

2,505

 

 

$

2,734

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

Supplemental Operating Segment Results

(in millions; except percentages; unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

 

 

 

 

Net revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flash

$

2,243

 

 

$

2,175

 

 

$

7,353

 

 

$

6,287

 

HDD

 

2,138

 

 

 

1,962

 

 

 

6,912

 

 

 

5,715

 

Total net revenue

$

4,381

 

 

$

4,137

 

 

$

14,265

 

 

$

12,002

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flash

$

798

 

 

$

653

 

 

$

2,665

 

 

$

1,752

 

HDD

 

592

 

 

 

491

 

 

 

2,061

 

 

 

1,462

 

Total gross profit for segments

$

1,390

 

 

$

1,144

 

 

$

4,726

 

 

$

3,214

 

Unallocated corporate items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contamination related charges

 

(203

)

 

 

 

 

 

(203

)

 

 

 

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

 

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(65

)

 

 

(293

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(13

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(41

)

Recoveries from a power outage incident

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

75

 

Total unallocated corporate items

 

(209

)

 

 

(53

)

 

 

(297

)

 

 

(259

)

Consolidated gross profit

$

1,181

 

 

$

1,091

 

 

$

4,429

 

 

$

2,955

 

Gross margin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flash

 

35.6

%

 

 

30.0

%

 

 

36.2

%

 

 

27.9

%

HDD

 

27.7

%

 

 

25.0

%

 

 

29.8

%

 

 

25.6

%

Total gross margin for segments

 

31.7

%

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

33.1

%

 

 

26.8

%

Consolidated gross margin

 

27.0

%

 

 

26.4

%

 

 

31.0

%

 

 

24.6

%

Historically, the company had been managed and reported under a single operating segment. Late in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the company announced a decision to reorganize its business by forming two separate product business units: flash-based products (“Flash”) and hard disk drives (“HDD”). To align with the new operating model and business structure, the company made management organizational changes and implemented new reporting modules and processes to provide discrete information to manage the business. Effective July 3, 2021, management finalized its assessment of its operating segments and now reports two segments: Flash and HDD. In the table above, total gross profit for segments and total gross margin for segments are Non-GAAP financial measures, which are also referred to herein as Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin, respectively.

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(in millions; unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

April 1,
2022

 

December 31,
2021

 

April 2,
2021

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

GAAP cost of revenue

$

3,200

 

 

$

3,250

 

 

$

3,046

 

 

$

9,836

 

 

$

9,047

 

Contamination related charges

 

(203

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(203

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(13

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(41

)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

 

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(65

)

 

 

(293

)

Recoveries from a power outage incident

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

75

 

Non-GAAP cost of revenue

$

2,991

 

 

$

3,210

 

 

$

2,993

 

 

$

9,539

 

 

$

8,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP gross profit

$

1,181

 

 

$

1,583

 

 

$

1,091

 

 

$

4,429

 

 

$

2,955

 

Contamination related charges

 

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

13

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

41

 

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

293

 

Recoveries from a power outage incident

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(75

)

Non-GAAP gross profit

$

1,390

 

 

$

1,623

 

 

$

1,144

 

 

$

4,726

 

 

$

3,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP operating expenses

$

857

 

 

$

856

 

 

$

774

 

 

$

2,600

 

 

$

2,410

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(73

)

 

 

(73

)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(198

)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

(39

)

 

 

(38

)

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(117

)

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges

 

(4

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

68

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

43

 

Other

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(2

)

Non-GAAP operating expenses

$

740

 

 

$

741

 

 

$

732

 

 

$

2,242

 

 

$

2,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP operating income

$

324

 

 

$

727

 

 

$

317

 

 

$

1,829

 

 

$

545

 

Cost of revenue adjustments

 

209

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

297

 

 

 

259

 

Operating expense adjustments

 

117

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

358

 

 

 

274

 

Non-GAAP operating income

$

650

 

 

$

882

 

 

$

412

 

 

$

2,484

 

 

$

1,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP interest and other expense, net

$

(62

)

 

$

(81

)

 

$

(68

)

 

$

(217

)

 

$

(214

)

Non-cash economic interest and Other

 

(2

)

 

 

13

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

11

 

Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net

$

(64

)

 

$

(68

)

 

$

(67

)

 

$

(200

)

 

$

(203

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP income tax expense

$

237

 

 

$

82

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

413

 

 

$

132

 

Income tax adjustments

 

(172

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(161

)

 

 

17

 

Non-GAAP income tax expense

$

65

 

 

$

90

 

 

$

27

 

 

$

252

 

 

$

149

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

April 1,
2022

 

December 31,
2021

 

April 2,
2021

 

April 1,
2022

 

April 2,
2021

GAAP net income

$

25

 

 

$

564

 

 

$

197

 

 

$

1,199

 

 

$

199

 

Contamination related charges

 

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

86

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

239

 

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

39

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

181

 

 

 

410

 

Recoveries from a power outage incident

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(75

)

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

(43

)

Non-cash economic interest and Other

 

(1

)

 

 

15

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

13

 

Income tax adjustments

 

172

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

25

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

(17

)

Non-GAAP net income

$

521

 

 

$

724

 

 

$

318

 

 

$

2,032

 

 

$

726

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP

$

0.08

 

 

$

1.79

 

 

$

0.63

 

 

$

3.79

 

 

$

0.65

 

Non-GAAP

$

1.65

 

 

$

2.30

 

 

$

1.02

 

 

$

6.43

 

 

$

2.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP

 

316

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

313

 

 

 

316

 

 

 

308

 

Non-GAAP

 

316

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

313

 

 

 

316

 

 

 

308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by operating activities

$

398

 

 

$

666

 

 

$

116

 

 

$

1,585

 

 

$

904

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net

 

(290

)

 

 

(294

)

 

 

(162

)

 

 

(829

)

 

 

(699

)

Activity related to Flash Ventures, net

 

40

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

129

 

Free cash flow

$

148

 

 

$

407

 

 

$

(11

)

 

$

779

 

 

$

334

 

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the table above sets forth Non-GAAP cost of revenue; Non-GAAP gross profit; Non-GAAP gross margin; Non-GAAP operating expenses; Non-GAAP operating income; Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net; Non-GAAP income tax expense; Non-GAAP net income; Non-GAAP diluted income per common share and free cash flow (“Non-GAAP measures”). These Non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The company believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures, when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, provides useful information to investors for measuring the company’s earnings performance and comparing it against prior periods. Specifically, the company believes these Non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors as they exclude certain expenses, gains and losses that the company believes are not indicative of its core operating results or because they are consistent with the financial models and estimates published by many analysts who follow the company and its peers. As discussed further below, these Non-GAAP measures exclude, as applicable, contamination related charges, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, recoveries from power outage incident, employee termination, asset impairment and other charges, non-cash economic interest, other adjustments, and income tax adjustments, and the company believes these measures along with the related reconciliations to the GAAP measures provide additional detail and comparability for assessing the company's results. These Non-GAAP measures are some of the primary indicators management uses for assessing the company's performance and planning and forecasting future periods. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

As described above, the company excludes the following items from its Non-GAAP measures:

Contamination related charges. In February 2022, a contamination of certain materials used in the company's manufacturing process occurred and affected production operation at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities in Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Japan, which are operated through the company's joint business ventures with Kioxia Corporation (collectively, "Flash Ventures"). The contamination resulted in scrapped inventory and rework costs, decontamination and other costs needed to restore the facilities to normal capacity, and under absorption of overhead costs, which are expensed as incurred. These charges are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes these charges are not part of the ongoing production operation of its business.

Stock-based compensation expense. Because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, the varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation expense, the subjective assumptions involved in those determinations, and the volatility in valuations that can be driven by market conditions outside the company's control, the company believes excluding stock-based compensation expense enhances the ability of management and investors to understand and assess the underlying performance of its business over time and compare it against the company's peers, a majority of whom also exclude stock-based compensation expense from their Non-GAAP results.

Amortization of acquired intangible assets. The company incurs expenses from the amortization of acquired intangible assets over their economic lives. Such charges are significantly impacted by the timing and magnitude of the company's acquisitions and any related impairment charges.

Recoveries from a power outage incident. In June 2019, an unexpected power outage incident occurred at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities operated through the company's joint venture with Kioxia Corporation in Yokkaichi, Japan. The power outage incident resulted in costs associated with the repair of damaged tools and the write-off of damaged inventory and unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs which are expensed as incurred. During fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the company received recoveries of these losses from other parties. The recoveries are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes they are not part of the ongoing production operation of its business.

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges. From time-to-time, in order to realign the company's operations with anticipated market demand or to achieve cost synergies from the integration of acquisitions, the company may terminate employees and/or restructure its operations. From time-to-time, the company may also incur charges from the impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. In addition, the company may record credits related to gains upon sale of property due to restructuring or reversals of charges recorded in prior periods. These charges or credits are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Non-cash economic interest. The company excludes non-cash economic interest expense associated with its convertible notes. These charges do not reflect the company's operating results, and the company believes they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Other adjustments. From time-to-time, the company incurs charges or gains that the company believes are not a part of the ongoing operation of its business. The resulting expense or benefit is inconsistent in amount and frequency.

Income tax adjustments. Income tax adjustments include the difference between income taxes based on a forecasted annual Non-GAAP tax rate and a forecasted annual GAAP tax rate as a result of the timing of certain Non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments. The income tax adjustments also include adjustments to estimates related to the current status of the rules and regulations governing the transition to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the re-measurement of certain unrecognized tax benefits primarily related to tax positions taken in prior quarters, including interest. These adjustments are excluded because the company believes that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its ongoing business.

Additionally, free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment, and the activity related to Flash Ventures, net. The company considers free cash flow generated in any period to be a useful indicator of cash that is available for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the company's business, making strategic acquisitions, repaying debt and strengthening the balance sheet.

Contacts

Western Digital Corp.

Investor Contact:
T. Peter Andrew
949.672.9655
peter.andrew@wdc.com
investor@wdc.com

Media Contact:
Robin Schultz
408.573.5043
robin.schultz@wdc.com

Release Summary

Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Contacts

Western Digital Corp.

Investor Contact:
T. Peter Andrew
949.672.9655
peter.andrew@wdc.com
investor@wdc.com

Media Contact:
Robin Schultz
408.573.5043
robin.schultz@wdc.com