Cree, Inc.
Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

CREE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT WWW.CREE.COMDear Shareholders, As we look to the year ahead, we are focused on three key areas to We’ve made incredible progress over almost three decades of innova- tion converting new science into market-changing products. Over this time, we’ve developed the first commercially-viable blue LEDs, SiC substrates, full-color video screens, LED backlighting technology for mobile phones, computers and TVs, lighting class LEDs, indoor & grow our business: • Build financial momentum by growing revenue and increasing operating margins. • Continue to innovate in each of our business segments with a steady stream of new products and technology. outdoor LED lighting fixtures, SiC power devices, GaN RF devices • Promote future growth in Power & RF and allow Cree’s and the Cree LED bulb. We’ve recently been recognized as a leading shareholders to better realize the full value of this unique business. innovator by MIT and Fast Company, but our track record of break- throughs goes back to the company’s founding in 1987. We’ve Cree started the LED Lighting Revolution in 2006 by telling the world made tremendous progress opening new markets, but these are that LED light was ready to replace traditional lighting technologies. technology-driven markets that are constantly evolving and create Since then, Cree has consistently led the industry by inventing and an ever-changing competitive landscape. While these changes introducing LED components and LED luminaires to enable new can cause near-term challenges and business cycles like we saw applications, and driving new economics through performance, in LEDs over the last year, they also create exciting opportunities quality and price. for the future. We’ve demonstrated over the years that Cree is not just an LED company, a materials company, a power and RF company, In order to increase adoption, the primary focus of Cree’s early or a lighting company, but an innovation company that is constantly generation products has been to replicate the light experience users developing new technology and creating new markets for our products. enjoy from traditional lighting technologies, while delivering the added value of energy efficiency, long life and reduced maintenance. This In fiscal 2015 we again demonstrated our ability to adapt and refocus strategy has enabled us to outgrow the market and establish ourselves on the next big market opportunity. We made progress expanding as one of North America’s largest lighting companies in just a few years. our Lighting and Power & RF businesses, and dealt with challenges in Moving forward, we’re making Cree LED lighting better than the lighting the LED industry. Revenue was $1.63 billion, as growth in Lighting it’s replacing. We believe that better light changes everything and we’re mostly offset the decline in LEDs. Non-GAAP net income declined to focused on innovations that enable better light that is intelligent by design. $72 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, as profit growth in Lighting and As we enter the age of smart things, smart homes and smart cities, Power & RF was not enough to offset the significant decline in LED we’re committed to delivering better life experiences by going beyond profits and the related restructuring costs. We believe the consolidation the conventional to create LED lighting that redefines how light works. of our LED factories will better position the LED business to focus on our new market-leading high-power products with a reduced cost I recognize that 2015 was a challenging year for our shareholders structure going forward. as the LED business entered a very difficult market cycle. We believe we’ve taken appropriate steps to position the company for success We made progress on several of our key objectives in fiscal 2015. in 2016 and we believe the future is bright for the company and our We continued to drive innovation across our product lines to lower shareholders. We’ve backed up our belief with the largest stock customer costs and further improve payback. We grew commercial buyback in the history of the company. lighting 37% for the year, which drove overall Lighting growth of 28% for the year. The Cree LED bulb continues to build the Cree brand and On behalf of the board of directors and our 6,400 global employees, enable awareness across all product lines. We successfully added we thank you for your continued support. manufacturing partners for LED chips and LED lighting, which should provide longer-term cost leverage and enable Cree’s factories to focus on new product technology and introduction. Growing revenue and operating margins will be our primary focus in fiscal 2016, and the actions we undertook at the end of fiscal 2015 underpin this goal. Chuck Swoboda Chairman and CEO FORM 10-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ________________________________________ FORM 10-K (Mark One) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015 or 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 0-21154 __________________________________________ CREE, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) North Carolina 56-1572719 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 4600 Silicon Drive Durham, North Carolina (Address of principal executive offices) 27703 (Zip Code) (919) 407-5300 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock, $0.00125 par value Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Name of each exchange on which registered The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None __________________________________________ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes No 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 No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 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 Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of December 26, 2014, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $3,523,203,743 (based on the closing sale price of $31.99 per share). The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.00125 par value per share, outstanding as of August 24, 2015 was 103,294,027. __________________________________________ DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held October 27, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III. CREE, INC. FORM 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended June 28, 2015 INDEX Part I Item 1. Business.......................................................................................................................................................... Item 1A. Risk Factors.................................................................................................................................................... Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments .......................................................................................................................... Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Part II Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Properties........................................................................................................................................................ Legal Proceedings .......................................................................................................................................... Mine Safety Disclosures................................................................................................................................. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities ........................................................................................................................................................ Selected Financial Data .................................................................................................................................. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations......................... Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ....................................................................... Item 8. Item 9. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .............................................................................................. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ........................ Item 9A. Controls and Procedures................................................................................................................................. Item 9B. Other Information........................................................................................................................................... Part III Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. PART IV Item 15. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance............................................................................. Executive Compensation................................................................................................................................ Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters...... Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence............................................... Principal Accountant Fees and Services......................................................................................................... Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.................................................................................................. SIGNATURES ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Page 4 10 23 24 24 25 25 27 28 46 47 84 84 85 86 86 86 86 86 87 91 Forward-Looking Information Information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). All information contained in this report relative to future markets for our products and trends in and anticipated levels of revenue, gross margins and expenses, as well as other statements containing words such as “believe,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend” and other similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business, economic and other risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements we make are as of the date made, and except as required under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we have no duty to update them if our views later change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Annual Report. Examples of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical performance and any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report. 3 PART I Item 1. Business Overview Cree, Inc. (Cree, we, our, or us) is a leading innovator of lighting-class light emitting diode (LED) products, lighting products and wide bandgap semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications. Our products are targeted for applications such as indoor and outdoor lighting, video displays, transportation, electronic signs and signals, power supplies, inverters and wireless systems. Our lighting products primarily consist of LED lighting systems and bulbs. We design, manufacture and sell lighting fixtures and lamps for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Our LED products consist of LED components, LED chips and silicon carbide (SiC) materials. Our success in selling LED products depends upon our ability to offer innovative products and to enable our customers to develop and market LED-based products that successfully compete against other LED-based products and drive LED adoption against traditional lighting products. In addition, we develop, manufacture and sell power and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). Our power products are made from SiC and provide increased efficiency, faster switching speeds and reduced system size and weight over comparable silicon-based power devices. Our RF devices are made from GaN and provide improved efficiency, bandwidth and frequency of operation as compared to silicon or gallium arsenide (GaAs). The majority of our products are manufactured at our production facilities located in North Carolina, Wisconsin and China. We also use contract manufacturers for certain aspects of product fabrication, assembly and packaging. We operate research and development facilities in North Carolina, California, Wisconsin, India and China (including Hong Kong). Cree, Inc. is a North Carolina corporation established in 1987 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. For further information about our consolidated revenue and earnings, please see our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Recent Developments In May 2015, we filed a registration statement on a confidential basis with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a possible initial public offering of our wholly owned Power and RF subsidiary (the proposed IPO). The proposed IPO is intended to raise capital to invest directly in the Power and RF subsidiary to support targeted future growth. Completion of the proposed IPO and related transactions is subject to numerous conditions, including market conditions, approval by our Board of Directors of the final terms of the proposed IPO and receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the effectiveness of the registration statement filed with the SEC. Although we have not yet determined the percentage interest of our Power and RF subsidiary that will be sold to the public in connection with the proposed IPO, we expect that will we continue to consolidate the Power and RF subsidiary’s results of operations with our business for accounting purposes upon the completion of the proposed IPO. Reportable Segments Our three reportable segments are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Power and RF Products Reportable segments are components of an entity that have separate financial data that the entity’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) regularly reviews when allocating resources and assessing performance. Our CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. For financial results by reportable segment, please refer to Note 13, “Reportable Segments,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. 4 Products by Reportable Segment Lighting Products Segment Lighting Products revenue was $906.5 million, $706.4 million, and $495.1 million, representing 55%, 43%, and 36% of our revenue for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Lighting Products gross profit was $235.5 million, $197.3 million and $148.9 million and gross margin was 26%, 28% and 30% for the fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our Lighting Products segment primarily consists of LED lighting systems and bulbs. We design, manufacture and sell lighting systems for indoor and outdoor applications, with our primary focus on LED lighting systems for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Lighting products are sold to distributors, retailers and direct to customers. Our portfolio of lighting products is designed for use in settings such as office and retail space, restaurants and hospitality, schools and universities, manufacturing, healthcare, airports, municipal, residential, street lighting and parking structures, among other applications. LED Products Segment LED Products revenue was $602.1 million, $833.7 million and $801.5 million representing 37%, 51%, and 58% of revenue for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. LED Products gross profit was $190.9 million, $381.0 million and $344.6 million and gross margin was 32%, 46% and 43% for the fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our LED Products segment includes LED chips, LED components and SiC materials. LED Chips Our LED chip products include blue and green LED chips based on GaN and related materials. LED chips or die are solid state electronic components used in a number of applications and are currently available in a variety of brightness levels, wavelengths (colors) and sizes. We use our LED chips in the manufacturing of our LED components. Customers use our blue and green LED chips in a variety of applications including video screens, gaming displays, function indicator lights and automotive backlights, headlamps and directional indicators. Customers may also combine our blue LED chips with phosphors to create white LEDs, which are used in various applications for indoor and outdoor illumination and backlighting, full-color display screens, liquid crystal display (LCD) backlighting, white keypads and the camera flash function. LED Components Our LED components include a range of packaged LED products, from our XLamp® LED components and LED modules for lighting applications to our high-brightness LED components. Our XLamp LED components and LED modules are lighting class packaged LED products designed to meet a broad range of market needs for lighting applications including general illumination (both indoor and outdoor applications), portable, architectural, signal and transportation lighting. We use our XLamp LED components in our own lighting products. We also sell XLamp LED components externally to customers and distributors for use in a variety of products, primarily for lighting applications. Our high-brightness LED components consist of surface mount (SMD) and through-hole packaged LED products. Our SMD LED component products are available in a full range of colors designed to meet a broad range of market needs, including video, signage, general illumination, transportation, gaming and specialty lighting. Our through-hole packaged LED component products are available in a full range of colors primarily designed for the signage market and provide users with color and brightness consistency across a wide viewing area. SiC Materials Our SiC materials are targeted for customers who use them to manufacture products for RF, power switching, gemstones and other applications. Corporate, government and university customers also buy SiC materials for research and development directed at RF and high power devices. We sell our SiC materials in bulk form, as a bare wafer and with SiC or GaN epitaxial films. Power and RF Products Segment Power and RF Products revenue was $123.9 million, $107.5 million, and $89.4 million, representing 8%, 6% and 6% of our revenue for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Power and RF Products gross profit was $67.8 million, $60.7 million and $48.1 million and gross margin was 55%, 56% and 54% for the fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our Power and RF Products segment includes power devices and RF devices. Power Devices Our SiC-based power products include Schottky diodes, SiC metal semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), and SiC power modules at various voltages. Our power products provide increased efficiency, faster switching speeds and reduced system 5 size and weight over comparable silicon-based power devices. Power products are sold primarily to customers and distributors for use in power supplies used in computer servers, solar inverters, uninterruptible power supplies, industrial power supplies and other applications. We are working to develop additional and improved SiC-based power device solutions to expand the potential uses and applications for our products. RF Devices Our RF products include a variety of GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), which are optimized for military, telecom and other commercial applications. Our RF devices are made from SiC and GaN and provide improved efficiency, bandwidths and frequency of operation as compared to silicon or GaAs. We also provide custom die manufacturing for GaN HEMTs and MMICs that allow a customer to design its own custom RF circuits to be fabricated by us, or have us design and fabricate products that meet their specific requirements. Financial Information about Geographic Areas of Customers and Assets We derive a significant portion of our revenue from product sales to international customers. For information concerning geographic areas of our customers and geographic information concerning our long-lived assets, please see Note 13, “Reportable Segments,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. International operations expose us to risks that are different from operating in the United States, including foreign currency translation and transaction risk, risk of changes in tax laws, application of import/export laws and regulations and other risks described further in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this Annual Report. Research and Development We invest significant resources in research and development. Our research and development activity includes efforts to: • • • • • increase the quality, performance and diameter of our substrate and epitaxial materials; continually improve our manufacturing processes; develop brighter, more efficient and lower cost LED chip and component products; create new, and improve existing, LED components and LED lighting products; and develop higher power diodes/switches and higher power/linearity RF devices. When our customers participate in funding our research and development programs, we recognize the amount funded as a reduction of research and development expenses to the extent that our customers’ funding does not exceed our respective research and development costs. Research and development expenses were $182.8 million, $181.4 million and $155.9 million for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. For further information about our research and development, see “Research and Development” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Sales and Marketing We continue to make significant investments to expand our global sales, marketing, technical applications support, and distribution capabilities to sell our lighting products and further enable new and existing customers to implement LED and power technology into their products. We also continue to make investments to promote and build market awareness of the Cree brand. Our growing sales, marketing and technical applications teams include personnel throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Customers We have historically had a few key customers who represented more than 10% of our consolidated revenue. In fiscal 2015, revenue from Arrow Electronics, Inc. (Arrow) and The Home Depot, Inc. (Home Depot) accounted for 12% and 11% of our total consolidated revenue, respectively. In fiscal 2014, revenue from Arrow and Home Depot accounted for 13% and 11% of our total consolidated revenue, respectively. In fiscal 2013, revenue from Arrow accounted for 16% of our total consolidated revenue. Arrow is a customer of our LED Products and Power and RF Products segments. Home Depot is a customer of our Lighting Products segment. For further discussion regarding customer concentration, please see Note 14, “Concentrations of Risk,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. The loss of any large customer could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 6 Distribution A substantial portion of our products are sold to distributors. Distributors stock inventory and sell our products to their own customer base, which may include: value added resellers, manufacturers who incorporate our products into their own manufactured goods and ultimate end users of our products. We also utilize third-party sales representatives who generally do not maintain a product inventory; instead, their customers place orders directly with us or through distributors. We also sell a portion of our products through retailers, which stock inventory and sell our products directly to consumers. Seasonality Our LED Products segment historically has experienced, and in the future may experience, seasonally lower sales during our fiscal third quarter due to the Chinese New Year holiday. Our Lighting Products segment historically has experienced, and in the future may experience, seasonally lower lighting fixture sales due to winter weather, impacting our fiscal second and third quarters. In addition, the retail lighting industry has historically had seasonally lower sales of light bulbs in the summer, which has impacted our fiscal fourth quarter and which may impact our fiscal first quarter. Our Power and RF Products segment is not generally subject to seasonality. Our sales also vary based on other factors such as customer demand and government regulation. If anticipated sales or shipments do not occur when expected, our results of operations for that quarter, and potentially for future quarters, may be adversely affected. Backlog Our backlog at June 28, 2015, the last day of our 2015 fiscal year, was approximately $238.4 million, compared with a backlog of approximately $193.2 million at June 29, 2014, the last day of our 2014 fiscal year. Because of the generally short cycle time between order and shipment and occasional customer changes in delivery schedules or cancellation of orders (which at times may be made without significant penalty), we do not believe that our backlog, as of any particular date, is necessarily indicative of actual net revenue for any future period. Additionally, our June 28, 2015 backlog contained $29.5 million of research contracts signed with the U.S. Government, for which approximately $17.6 million had not been appropriated as of the last day of fiscal 2015. Our June 29, 2014 backlog contained $34.3 million of research contracts signed with the U.S. Government, for which approximately $26.0 million was not appropriated as of the last day of fiscal 2014. Our backlog could be adversely affected if the U.S. Government exercises its rights to terminate our government contracts or does not appropriate and allocate all of the funding contemplated by the contracts. Sources of Raw Materials We depend on a number of suppliers for certain raw materials, components and equipment used in manufacturing our products, including certain key materials and equipment used in critical stages of our manufacturing processes. We generally purchase these limited source items pursuant to purchase orders and have limited guaranteed supply arrangements with our suppliers. Our suppliers, located around the world, can be subject to many constraints limiting supply that are beyond our control. We believe our current supply of essential materials is sufficient to meet our needs. However, shortages have occurred from time to time and could occur again. Competition by Reportable Segment Our success depends on our ability to keep pace with the evolving technology standards of the industries we serve. These industries are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent introduction of new products, short product life cycles, changes in end user and customer requirements, and a competitive pricing environment. The evolving nature of these industries may render our existing or future products obsolete, noncompetitive or unmarketable. Any of these developments could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Lighting Products Segment Our Lighting Products segment currently faces competition from traditional lighting fixture companies, lamp manufacturers and from non-traditional companies focused on LED lighting systems including fixtures and lamps. Lighting companies such as Acuity Brands, Inc., the Cooper Lighting division of Eaton Corporation plc, General Electric Company, Hubbell Incorporated, Philips and OSRAM are the main competitors in this market, but there are also many small and medium sized lighting competitors. Increasingly, other start-up companies are also beginning to emerge in the LED lighting markets in which we compete. 7 Our LED lighting products compete against traditional lighting products using incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, ceramic metal halide, high pressure sodium or other lighting technologies. Our LED lighting products compete against traditional lighting products based upon superior energy savings, extended life, improved lighting quality and lower total cost of ownership. Also, our LED lighting products have a reduced impact on the environment as compared to fluorescent and compact fluorescent technologies that contain mercury. We also compete with LED-based products from traditional and non-traditional lamp and fixture companies, some of which are customers for our LED chips and LED components. Our products compete on the basis of color quality and consistency, superior light output, reduced energy consumption, brand, customer service and lower total cost of ownership. LED Products Segment Our LED Products segment’s primary competitors are Nichia Corporation (Nichia), OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH (OSRAM), Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Philips), and Samsung LED Company (Samsung). LED Chips The primary competition for our LED chip products comes from companies that manufacture and/or sell nitride-based LED chips. We consider Nichia to be a competitor because it sells LED chips to a select number of LED packaging companies and it sells packaged LEDs that most often compete directly with packaged LEDs made and sold by our chip customers. We believe, based on industry information, that Nichia currently has the largest market share for nitride-based LEDs. There are many other LED chip producers who sell blue, green and white LED chip products, including OSRAM, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., and Epistar Corporation. These competitors make products for a variety of applications in a range of performance levels that compete directly with our LED chip products. Overall, we believe that performance, price and strength of intellectual property are the most significant factors to compete successfully in the nitride LED market. We believe our products are well positioned to meet the market performance requirements; however, there is significant pricing pressure from a number of competitors, including new companies based in China. We continually strive to improve our competitive position by developing brighter and higher performing LED chips while focusing on lowering costs. LED Components The market for lighting class LED components is concentrated primarily in indoor and outdoor commercial lighting; specialty lighting, including torch lamps (flashlights); color changing architectural lighting; signs and signals; and transportation. Nichia, OSRAM, Philips and Samsung are the main competitors in these markets. These companies sell LED components that compete indirectly with our target customers for LED chips and compete directly with our XLamp LED components and LED modules. There are a large number of other companies, primarily based in Asia, that offer products designed to compete both directly and indirectly with our LED components in lighting and other applications. We are positioning our XLamp LED components and LED modules to compete in this market based on performance, price and usability. Our high-brightness LED components compete with a larger number of companies around the world in a variety of applications including signage, video, transportation, gaming and specialty lighting. We are positioning our high-brightness LED components to compete in this market based on performance, price, availability and usability. SiC Materials We have continued to maintain our well-established leadership position in the sale of SiC bulk material, SiC wafer and SiC and GaN epitaxy products. As the market adoption of the technology increases enabling greatly improved performance levels of the power device designs by our customer base, we are experiencing increased competition from companies such as Dow Corning, II-VI Advanced Materials, SiCrystal and Nippon Steel. We believe our leading technology and leveraged production scale position us to supply high yield wafers in volume to the device manufacturers in the market. Power and RF Products Segment Power Devices Our SiC-based power devices compete with SiC power semiconductor solutions offered by Infineon Technologies AG, STMicroelectronics, Inc., Rohm Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Microsemi Corporation. Our products also compete with existing semiconductor devices offered by a variety of manufacturers. Our power products compete in the power semiconductor market on the basis of performance and reliability. RF Devices Our RF devices compete with with Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc., Qorvo, Inc., Microsemi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc., which all offer GaN RF products that compete 8 directly with our GaN HEMT products. Our products also compete with a variety of companies offering silicon and GaAs- based products. Our products compete in the RF semiconductor market on the basis of reliability, performance, design predictability and overall system price. Patents and Other Intellectual Property Rights We believe it is important to protect our investment in technology by obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights, including rights under patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright laws. We seek to protect inventions we consider significant by applying for patents in the United States and other countries when appropriate. We have also acquired, through license grants, purchases and assignments, rights to patents on inventions originally developed by others. As of June 28, 2015, we owned or were the exclusive licensee of 1,575 issued U.S. patents and approximately 2,725 foreign patents with various expiration dates extending up to 2040. We do not consider our business to be materially dependent upon any one patent, and we believe our business will not be materially adversely affected by the expiration of any one patent. For proprietary technology that is not patented, we generally seek to protect the technology and related know-how and information as trade secrets by keeping confidential the information that we believe provides us with a competitive advantage. We attempt to create strong brands for our products and promote our products through trademarks that distinguish them in the market. We may license our customers to use our trademarks in connection with the sale of our products, and we monitor for the proper and authorized use of our marks. Licensing activities and lawsuits to enforce intellectual property rights, particularly patent rights, are a common aspect of the semiconductor, LED and lighting industries, and we attempt to ensure respect for our intellectual property rights through appropriate actions. The breadth of our intellectual property rights and the extent to which they can be successfully enforced varies across jurisdictions. We both make and receive inquiries regarding possible patent infringements and possible violations of other intellectual property rights in the normal course of business. Depending on the circumstances, we may seek to negotiate a license or other acceptable resolution. If we are unable to achieve a resolution by agreement, we may seek to enforce our rights or defend our position through litigation. Patent litigation in particular is expensive and the outcome is often uncertain. We believe that the strength of our portfolio of patent rights is important in helping us resolve or avoid such disputes with other companies in our industry. Environmental Regulation We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. These include statutory and regulatory provisions under which we are responsible for the management of hazardous materials we use and the disposition of hazardous wastes resulting from our manufacturing processes. Failure to comply with such provisions could result in fines and other liabilities to the government or third parties, injunctions requiring us to suspend or curtail operations or other remedies, and could have a material adverse effect on our business. Working Capital For a discussion of our working capital practices, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Employees As of June 28, 2015, we employed 6,387 regular full and part-time employees. We also employ individuals on a temporary full- time basis and use the services of contractors as necessary. Certain of our employees in various countries outside of the United States are subject to laws providing representation rights. Available Information Our website address is www.cree.com. We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including Interactive Data Files, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. These reports may be accessed from our website by following the links under “Investors,” then “SEC Filings.” The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC. We have no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report or in other reports filed with the SEC, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless we are required to do so by law. A copy of this Annual Report and our other reports is available without charge upon written request to Investor Relations, Cree, Inc., 4600 Silicon Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27703. 9 Item 1A. Risk Factors Described below are various risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. If any of the risks described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Our operating results are substantially dependent on the development and acceptance of new products. Our future success may depend on our ability to develop new, higher performing and lower cost solutions for existing and new markets and for customers to accept those solutions. We must introduce new products in a timely and cost-effective manner, and we must secure production orders for those products from our customers. The development of new products is a highly complex process, and we have in some instances experienced delays in completing the development and introduction of new products. Our research and development efforts are aimed at solving increasingly complex problems, and we do not expect that all of our projects will be successful. The successful development, introduction and acceptance of new products depend on a number of factors, including the following: • • • • • • • • • • achievement of technology breakthroughs required to make commercially viable devices; the accuracy of our predictions for market requirements; our ability to predict, influence and/or react to evolving standards; acceptance of our new product designs; acceptance of new technology in certain markets; the availability of qualified research and development personnel; our timely completion of product designs and development; our ability to develop repeatable processes to manufacture new products in sufficient quantities, with the desired specifications and at competitive costs; our ability to effectively transfer products and technology from development to manufacturing; our customers’ ability to develop competitive products incorporating our products; and • market acceptance of our customers’ products. If any of these or other similar factors becomes problematic, we may not be able to develop and introduce these new products in a timely or cost-effective manner. We operate in industries that are subject to significant fluctuation in supply and demand and ultimately pricing that affects our revenue and profitability. The LED lighting industry is in the relatively early stages of adoption and is characterized by constant and rapid technological change, rapid product obsolescence and price erosion, evolving standards, short product life-cycles and fluctuations in product supply and demand. The LED industry has experienced significant fluctuations, often in connection with, or in anticipation of, product cycles and changes in general economic conditions. As the markets for our products mature, additional fluctuations may result from variability and consolidations within the industry’s customer base. These fluctuations have been characterized by lower product demand, production overcapacity, higher inventory levels and increased pricing pressure. These fluctuations have also been characterized by higher demand for key components and equipment used in, or in the manufacture of, our products resulting in longer lead times, supply delays and production disruptions. We have experienced these conditions in our business and may experience such conditions in the future, which could have a material negative impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition. For example, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we announced a restructuring plan for our LED business that will reduce excess capacity and overhead as well as increase reserves as the result of a more aggressive pricing environment. We may not be able to achieve the level of benefits that we expect to realize from this restructuring within the expected timeframes, if at all, which could have a material negative impact on our business. In addition, as we diversify our product offerings and as pricing differences in the average selling prices among our product lines widen, a change in the mix of sales among our product lines may increase volatility in our revenue and gross margin from period to period. 10 If we are unable to effectively develop, manage and expand our sales channels for our products, our operating results may suffer. We have expanded into business channels that are different from those in which we have historically operated as we grow our business and sell more LED and lighting products. Lighting sales agents have in the past and may in the future choose to drop our product lines from their portfolio to avoid losing access to our competitors’ lighting products, resulting in a disruption in the project pipeline and lower than targeted sales for our lighting products. We sell an increasing portion of our lighting products through retailers who may alter their promotional pricing or inventory strategies, which could impact our targeted sales of these products. If we are unable to effectively penetrate these channels or develop alternate channels to ensure our products are reaching the intended customer base, our financial results may be adversely impacted. In addition, if we successfully penetrate or develop these channels, we cannot guarantee that customers will accept our products or that we will be able to manufacture and deliver them in the timeline established by our customers. We sell a substantial portion of our products to distributors. We rely on distributors to develop and expand their customer base as well as anticipate demand from their customers. If they are not successful, our growth and profitability may be adversely impacted. Distributors must balance the need to have enough products in stock in order to meet their customers’ needs against their internal target inventory levels and the risk of potential inventory obsolescence. The risks of inventory obsolescence are especially relevant to technological products. The distributors’ internal target inventory levels vary depending on market cycles and a number of factors within each distributor over which we have very little, if any, control. We typically recognize revenue on products sold to distributors when the item is shipped and title passes to the distributor (sell- in method). Certain distributors have limited rights to return inventory under stock rotation programs and have limited price protection rights for which we make estimates. We evaluate inventory levels in the distribution channel, current economic trends and other related factors in order to account for these factors in our judgments and estimates. As inventory levels and product return trends change, we may have to revise our estimates and incur additional costs, and our gross margins and operating results could be adversely impacted. We face significant challenges managing our growth as the market adopts LEDs for general lighting. Our potential for growth depends significantly on the adoption of LEDs within the general lighting market and our ability to affect this rate of adoption. Although the market for LED lighting has grown rapidly in recent years, adoption of LEDs for general lighting is still in the relatively early stages. In order to manage our growth and business strategy effectively relative to the uncertain pace of adoption, we must continue to: • maintain, expand and purchase adequate manufacturing facilities and equipment, as well as secure sufficient third-party manufacturing resources, to meet customer demand; • manage an increasingly complex supply chain that has the ability to scale to maintain a sufficient supply of raw materials and deliver on time to our manufacturing facilities or our third party manufacturing facilities; • expand research and development, sales and marketing, technical support, distribution capabilities, manufacturing planning and administrative functions; • manage organizational complexity and communication; • • • • • expand the capability of information systems to support a more complex business; expand the skills and capabilities of our current management team; add experienced senior level managers; attract and retain qualified employees; and adequately maintain and adjust the operational and financial controls that support our business. While we intend to focus on managing our costs and expenses, over the long term we expect to invest to support our growth and may have additional unexpected costs. Such investments take time to become fully operational, and we may not be able to expand quickly enough to exploit targeted market opportunities. There are also inherent execution risks in starting up a new factory or expanding production capacity that could increase costs and reduce our operating results, including design and construction cost overruns, poor production process yields and reduced quality control during the start-up phase. 11 We are also increasingly dependent on information technology to enable us to improve the effectiveness of our operations and to maintain financial accuracy and efficiency. For example, we are in the final stages of implementing a new information technology platform at our Racine operations. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build, implement, upgrade, integrate and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, we could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, loss of customers, business disruptions or loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach. In connection with our efforts to cost-effectively manage our growth, we have increasingly relied on contractors for production capacity, logistics support and certain administrative functions including hosting of certain information technology software applications. If these service providers do not perform effectively, we may not be able to achieve the expected cost savings and may incur additional costs to correct errors or fulfill customer demand. Depending on the function involved, such errors may also lead to business disruption, processing inefficiencies, the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach, or an impact on employee morale. Our operations may also be negatively impacted if any of these service providers do not have the financial capability to meet our growing needs. The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and have evolving technical requirements. The markets for our products are highly competitive. In the LED market, we compete with companies that manufacture and sell LED chips and LED components. In the lighting market, we compete with companies that manufacture and sell traditional and LED lighting products, many of which have larger and more established sales channels. Competitors continue to offer new products with aggressive pricing and improved performance. Competitive pricing pressures remain a challenge and continue to accelerate the rate of decline of our sales prices, particularly in our LED products segment. With the growth potential for LEDs, we will continue to face increased competition in the future. If the investment in capacity exceeds the growth in demand, such as exists in the current market, the LED market is likely to become more competitive with additional pricing pressures. Additionally, new technologies could emerge or improvements could be made in existing technologies that may also reduce the demand for LEDs in certain markets. There are also new technologies, such as organic LEDs (OLEDs), which could potentially reduce LED demand for backlighting, which could impact the overall LED market. As competition increases, we need to continue to develop new products that meet or exceed the needs of our customers. Therefore, our ability to continually produce more efficient, higher brightness and lower cost LEDs and lighting products that meet the evolving needs of our customers will be critical to our success. Competitors may also try to align with some of our strategic customers. This could lead to lower prices for our products, reduced demand for our products and a corresponding reduction in our ability to recover development, engineering and manufacturing costs. Any of these developments could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Our results of operations, financial condition and business could be harmed if we are unable to balance customer demand and capacity. As customer demand for our products changes, we must be able to adjust our production capacity to meet demand. We are continually taking steps to address our manufacturing capacity needs for our products. If we are not able to increase or decrease our production capacity at our targeted rate or if there are unforeseen costs associated with adjusting our capacity levels, we may not be able to achieve our financial targets. Due to the proportionately high fixed cost nature of our business (such as facility costs), if demand does not materialize at the rate forecasted, we may not be able to scale back our manufacturing expenses or overhead costs to correspond to the demand. This could result in lower margins and adversely impact our business and results of operations. Additionally, if product demand decreases or we fail to forecast demand accurately, our results may be adversely impacted due to higher costs resulting from lower factory utilization, causing higher fixed costs per unit produced. Further, we may be required to recognize impairments on our long-lived assets or recognize excess inventory write-off charges, as we did in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. We may in the future be required to recognize excess capacity charges, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations. 12 In addition, our efforts to improve quoted delivery lead-time performance may result in corresponding reductions in order backlog. A decline in backlog levels could result in more variability and less predictability in our quarter-to-quarter net revenue and operating results. We rely on a number of key sole source and limited source suppliers and are subject to high price volatility on certain commodity inputs, variations in parts quality, and raw material consistency and availability. We depend on a number of sole source and limited source suppliers for certain raw materials, components, services and equipment used in manufacturing our products, including key materials and equipment used in critical stages of our manufacturing processes. Although alternative sources generally exist for these items, qualification of many of these alternative sources could take up to six months or longer. Where possible, we attempt to identify and qualify alternative sources for our sole and limited source suppliers. We generally purchase these sole or limited source items with purchase orders, and we have limited guaranteed supply arrangements with such suppliers. Some of our sources can have variations in attributes and availability which can affect our ability to produce products in sufficient volume or quality. We do not control the time and resources that these suppliers devote to our business, and we cannot be sure that these suppliers will perform their obligations to us. Additionally, general shortages in the marketplace of certain raw materials or key components may adversely impact our business. In the past, we have experienced decreases in our production yields when suppliers have varied from previously agreed upon specifications or made other modifications we do not specify, which impacted our cost of revenue. Additionally, the inability of our suppliers to access capital efficiently could cause disruptions in their businesses, thereby negatively impacting ours. This risk may increase if an economic downturn negatively affects key suppliers or a significant number of our other suppliers. Any delay in product delivery or other interruption or variation in supply from these suppliers could prevent us from meeting commercial demand for our products. If we were to lose key suppliers, if our key suppliers were unable to support our demand for any reason or if we were unable to identify and qualify alternative suppliers, our manufacturing operations could be interrupted or hampered significantly. We rely on arrangements with independent shipping companies for the delivery of our products from vendors and to customers both in the United States and abroad. The failure or inability of these shipping companies to deliver products or the unavailability of shipping or port services, even temporarily, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may also be adversely affected by an increase in freight surcharges due to rising fuel costs and added security. In our fabrication process we consume a number of precious metals and other commodities, which are subject to high price volatility. Our operating margins could be significantly affected if we are not able to pass along price increases to our customers. In addition, production could be disrupted by the unavailability of the resources used in production such as water, silicon, electricity and gases. Future environmental regulations could restrict supply or increase the cost of certain of those materials. We depend on a limited number of customers, including distributors and retailers, for a substantial portion of our revenue, and the loss of, or a significant reduction in purchases by, one or more of these customers could adversely affect our operating results. We receive a significant amount of our revenue from a limited number of customers, including distributors and retailers, two of which represented greater than 10% of our consolidated revenue in fiscal 2015. Most of our customer orders are made on a purchase order basis, which does not generally require any long-term customer commitments. Therefore, these customers may alter their purchasing behavior with little or no notice to us for various reasons, including developing, or, in the case of our distributors, their customers developing, their own product solutions; choosing to purchase product from our competitors; incorrectly forecasting end market demand for their products; or experiencing a reduction in their market share in the markets for which they purchase our products. In the case of retailers, these customers may alter their promotional pricing; increase promotion of competitors' products over our products; or reduce their inventory levels; all of which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. If our customers alter their purchasing behavior, if our customers’ purchasing behavior does not match our expectations or if we encounter any problems collecting amounts due from them, our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted. 13 If our products fail to perform or fail to meet customer requirements or expectations, we could incur significant additional costs, including costs associated with the recall of those items. The manufacture of our products involves highly complex processes. Our customers specify quality, performance and reliability standards that we must meet. If our products do not meet these standards, we may be required to replace or rework the products. In some cases, our products may contain undetected defects or flaws that only become evident after shipment. Even if our products meet standard specifications, our customers may attempt to use our products in applications for which they were not designed or in products that were not designed or manufactured properly, resulting in product failures and creating customer satisfaction issues. We have experienced product quality, performance or reliability problems from time to time and defects or failures may occur in the future. If failures or defects occur, they could result in significant losses or product recalls due to: • • • • • • • • costs associated with the removal, collection and destruction of the product; payments made to replace product; costs associated with repairing the product; the write-down or destruction of existing inventory; insurance recoveries that fail to cover the full costs associated with product recalls; lost sales due to the unavailability of product for a period of time; delays, cancellations or rescheduling of orders for our products; or increased product returns. A significant product recall could also result in adverse publicity, damage to our reputation and a loss of customer or consumer confidence in our products. We also may be the target of product liability lawsuits or regulatory proceedings by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and could suffer losses from a significant product liability judgment or adverse CPSC finding against us if the use of our products at issue is determined to have caused injury or contained a substantial product hazard. We provide warranty periods ranging from 90 days to 10 years on our products. The standard warranty on nearly all of our new LED lighting products, which now represent the majority of our revenue, is 10 years. Although we believe our reserves are appropriate, we are making projections about the future reliability of new products and technologies, and we may experience increased variability in warranty claims. Increased warranty claims could result in significant losses due to a rise in warranty expense and costs associated with customer support. Our results may be negatively impacted if customers do not maintain their favorable perception of our brand and products. We have a developing brand with increasing value. Maintaining and continually enhancing the value of this brand is critical to the success of our business. Brand value is based in large part on customer perceptions. Success in promoting and enhancing brand value depends in large part on our ability to provide high-quality products. Brand value could diminish significantly due to a number of factors, including adverse publicity about our products (whether valid or not), a failure to maintain the quality of our products (whether perceived or real), the failure of our products to deliver consistently positive consumer experiences, the products becoming unavailable to consumers or consumer perception that we have acted in an irresponsible manner. Damage to our brand, reputation or loss of customer confidence in our brand or products could result in decreased demand for our products and have a negative impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Variations in our production yields could impact our ability to reduce costs and could cause our margins to decline and our operating results to suffer. All of our products are manufactured using technologies that are highly complex. The number of usable items, or yield, from our production processes may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including but not limited to the following: • • • variability in our process repeatability and control; contamination of the manufacturing environment; equipment failure, power outages, information or other system failures or variations in the manufacturing process; 14 • • • • lack of consistency and adequate quality and quantity of piece parts, other raw materials and other bill of materials items; inventory shrinkage or human errors; defects in production processes (including system assembly) either within our facilities or at our suppliers; and any transitions or changes in our production process, planned or unplanned. In the past, we have experienced difficulties in achieving acceptable yields on certain products, which has adversely affected our operating results. We may experience similar problems in the future, and we cannot predict when they may occur or their severity. In some instances, we may offer products for future delivery at prices based on planned yield improvements or increased cost efficiencies from other production advances. Failure to achieve these planned improvements or advances could have a significant impact on our margins and operating results. In addition, our ability to convert volume manufacturing to larger diameter substrates can be an important factor in providing a more cost effective manufacturing process. If we are unable to make this transition in a timely or cost effective manner, our results could be negatively impacted. As a result of our continued expansion into new markets, we may compete with existing customers who may reduce their orders. Through acquisitions and organic growth, we continue to expand into new markets and new market segments. Many of our existing customers who purchase our LED products develop and manufacture products using those chips and components that are offered into the same lighting markets. As a result, some of our current customers perceive us as a competitor in these market segments. In response, our customers may reduce or discontinue their orders for our LED products. This reduction in or discontinuation of orders could occur faster than our sales growth in these new markets, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Global economic conditions could materially adversely impact demand for our products and services. Our operations and performance depend significantly on worldwide economic conditions. Uncertainty about global economic conditions could result in customers postponing purchases of our products and services in response to tighter credit, unemployment, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values and other macroeconomic factors, which could have a material negative effect on demand for our products and services and, accordingly, on our business, results of operations or financial condition. There are risks associated with the previously-announced proposed IPO of our Power and RF Products segment that may adversely impact our results of operations. The completion of the proposed IPO of our Power and RF Products segment is subject to numerous conditions, including market conditions, and may not occur on favorable terms or at all. We have not yet determined the number of shares of common stock of our Power and RF subsidiary that will be sold in the proposed IPO or the valuation of such shares. Therefore, the amount of cash proceeds we expect to receive in the proposed IPO and related transactions is uncertain. In connection with the proposed IPO: • our stock price could fluctuate significantly in response to developments related to the proposed IPO or other actions or market speculation regarding the proposed IPO; • we may encounter difficulties in hiring, retaining and motivating key personnel during this process or as a result of uncertainties generated by this process or any developments or actions relating to it; • we will incur substantial increases in general and administrative expense associated with the need to retain and compensate third-party consultants and advisors (including legal counsel); and • although we have not made any determination regarding whether we will dispose of our remaining interests in our Power and RF subsidiary following the proposed IPO, to the extent that further dispositions result in our owning less than a controlling financial interest, our Power and RF subsidiary's financial results may no longer be consolidated with our financial results and we may be required to report our Power and RF subsidiary’s operating results as discontinued operations, which may materially and adversely affect our consolidated results of operations. 15 We may not complete the proposed IPO, in which event we will have incurred significant expenses that we will be unable to recover, and for which we will not receive any benefit. If the proposed IPO is completed, our Power and RF subsidiary would be a new publicly traded company. We cannot make any assurances that the proposed IPO, if completed, will increase the market value of Cree. If we fail to evaluate and execute strategic opportunities successfully, our business may suffer. From time to time, we evaluate strategic opportunities available to us for product, technology or business transactions, such as business acquisitions, investments, divestitures, or spin-offs. If we choose to enter into such transactions, we face certain risks including: • • • • • • • the failure of an acquired business or an investee to meet our performance expectations; identification of additional liabilities relating to an acquired business; loss of existing customers of our current and acquired businesses due to concerns that new product lines may be in competition with the customers’ existing product lines; difficulty integrating an acquired business's operations, personnel and financial and operating systems into our current business; diversion of management attention; uncertainty of the financial markets or circumstances that cause conditions that are less favorable and/or different than expected; difficulty separating a spin-off's operations, personnel and financial and operating systems out of our current business; and • expenses incurred to complete a transaction may be significantly higher than anticipated. We may not be able to adequately address these risks or any other problems that arise from our prior or future acquisitions, investments, divestitures or spin-offs. Any failure to successfully evaluate strategic opportunities and address risks or other problems that arise related to any such business transaction could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Our revenue is highly dependent on our customers’ ability to produce, market and sell more integrated products. Our revenue in our LED Products and Power and RF Products segments depends on getting our products designed into a larger number of our customers’ products and in turn, our customers’ ability to produce, market and sell their products. For example, we have current and prospective customers that create, or plan to create, lighting systems using our LED components. Even if our customers are able to develop and produce LED lighting products or products that incorporate our Power and RF products, there can be no assurance that our customers will be successful in marketing and selling these products in the marketplace. The adoption of or changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations relating to the efficiency, performance, use or other aspects of lighting could impact the demand for our products. The adoption of or changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations relating to the efficiency, performance or other aspects of LED lighting may impact the demand for our products. Demand for our products may also be impacted by changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations that discourage the use of certain traditional lighting technologies. These constraints may be eliminated or delayed by legislative action, which could have a negative impact on demand for our products. 16 If governments, their agencies or utilities reduce their demand for our products or discontinue or curtail their funding, our business may suffer. Changes in governmental budget priorities could adversely affect our business and results of operations. U.S. and foreign government agencies have purchased products directly from us and products from our customers, and U.S. government agencies have historically funded a portion of our research and development activities. When the government changes budget priorities, such as in times of war, financial crisis, or reallocates its research and development spending to areas unrelated to our business, our research and development funding and our product sales to government entities and government-funded customers are at risk. For example, demand and payment for our products and our customers’ products may be affected by public sector budgetary cycles, funding authorizations or utility rebates. Funding reductions or delays could negatively impact demand for our products. If government or utility funding is discontinued or significantly reduced, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. We are exposed to fluctuations in the market value of our investment portfolio and in interest rates, and therefore, impairment of our investments or lower investment income could harm our earnings. We are exposed to market value and inherent interest rate risk related to our investment portfolio. We have historically invested portions of our available cash in fixed interest rate securities such as high-grade corporate debt, commercial paper, municipal bonds, non-U.S. certificates of deposit, government securities and other fixed interest rate investments. The primary objective of our cash investment policy is preservation of principal. However, these investments are generally not Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured and may lose value and/or become illiquid regardless of their credit rating. From time to time, we have also made investments in public and private companies that engage in complementary businesses. For example, during fiscal 2015 we made an investment in Lextar Electronics Corporation (Lextar), a public company in Taiwan. An investment in another company is subject to the risks inherent in the business of that company and to trends affecting the equity markets as a whole. Investments in publicly held companies are subject to market risks and, like our investment in Lextar, may not be liquidated easily. As a result, we may not be able to reduce the size of our position or liquidate our investments when we deem appropriate to limit our downside risk. Should the value of any such investments we hold decline, the related write-down in value could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, the value of our Lextar investment has declined from the date of our investment in December 2014 through the end of fiscal 2015, and this downward stock price trend has continued during the beginning of fiscal 2016 and may continue in the future. As required by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, we have filed Lextar’s financial statements, prepared by Lextar and audited by its independent public accounting firm, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 as an exhibit to this Annual Report. Our operations in foreign countries expose us to certain risks inherent in doing business internationally, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. We have operations, manufacturing facilities and contract manufacturing arrangements in foreign countries that expose us to certain risks. For example, fluctuations in exchange rates may affect our revenue, expenses and results of operations as well as the value of our assets and liabilities as reflected in our financial statements. We are also subject to other types of risks, including the following: • • • • • • • • • protection of intellectual property and trade secrets; tariffs, customs, trade sanctions and other barriers to importing/exporting materials and products in a cost effective and timely manner, or changes in applicable tariffs or custom rules; timing and availability of export licenses; rising labor costs; disruptions in or inadequate infrastructure of the countries where we operate; difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; difficulties in staffing and managing international operations; the burden of complying with foreign and international laws and treaties; and the burden of complying with and changes in international taxation policies. In some instances, we have received and may continue to receive incentives from foreign governments to encourage our investment in certain countries, regions or areas outside of the United States. In particular, we have received and may continue to receive 17 such incentives in connection with our operations in Asia, as Asian national and local governments seek to encourage the development of the technology industry. Government incentives may include tax rebates, reduced tax rates, favorable lending policies and other measures, some or all of which may be available to us due to our foreign operations. Any of these incentives could be reduced or eliminated by governmental authorities at any time or as a result of our inability to maintain minimum operations necessary to earn the incentives. Any reduction or elimination of incentives currently provided for our operations could adversely affect our business and results of operations. These same governments also may provide increased incentives to or require production processes that favor local companies, which could further negatively impact our business and results of operations. Abrupt political change, terrorist activity and armed conflict pose a risk of general economic disruption in affected countries, which could also result in an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In order to compete, we must attract, motivate and retain key employees, and our failure to do so could harm our results of operations. Hiring and retaining qualified executives, scientists, engineers, technical staff and sales personnel is critical to our business, and competition for experienced employees in our industry can be intense. As a global company, this issue is not limited to the United States, but includes our other locations such as Europe and China. For example, there is substantial competition in China for qualified and capable personnel, particularly experienced engineers and technical personnel, which may make it difficult for us to recruit and retain qualified employees. Also, within Huizhou, China, there are other large companies building manufacturing plants that will likely compete for qualified employees. If we are unable to staff sufficient and adequate personnel at our China facilities, we may experience lower revenue or increased manufacturing costs, which would adversely affect our results of operations. To help attract, motivate and retain key employees, we use benefits such as stock-based compensation awards. If the value of such awards does not appreciate, as measured by the performance of the price of our common stock or if our stock-based compensation otherwise ceases to be viewed as a valuable benefit, our ability to attract, retain and motivate employees could be weakened, which could harm our business and results of operations. Litigation could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. We are often involved in litigation, primarily patent litigation. Defending against existing and potential litigation will likely require significant attention and resources and, regardless of the outcome, result in significant legal expenses, which could adversely affect our results unless covered by insurance or recovered from third parties. If our defenses are ultimately unsuccessful or if we are unable to achieve a favorable resolution, we could be liable for damage awards that could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. Where necessary, we may initiate litigation to enforce our patent or other intellectual property rights, which could adversely impact our relationship with certain customers. Any such litigation may require us to spend a substantial amount of time and money and could distract management from our day-to-day operations. Moreover, there is no assurance that we will be successful in any such litigation. Our business may be impaired by claims that we, or our customers, infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights characterize our industry. These traits have resulted in significant and often protracted and expensive litigation. Litigation to determine the validity of patents or claims by third parties of infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights could result in significant legal expense and divert the efforts of our technical personnel and management, even if the litigation results in a determination favorable to us. In the event of an adverse result in such litigation, we could be required to: • • • • • • pay substantial damages; indemnify our customers; stop the manufacture, use and sale of products found to be infringing; incur asset impairment charges; discontinue the use of processes found to be infringing; expend significant resources to develop non-infringing products or processes; or 18 • obtain a license to use third party technology. There can be no assurance that third parties will not attempt to assert infringement claims against us, or our customers, with respect to our products. In addition, our customers may face infringement claims directed to the customer’s products that incorporate our products, and an adverse result could impair the customer’s demand for our products. We have also promised certain of our customers that we will indemnify them in the event they are sued by our competitors for infringement claims directed to the products we supply. Under these indemnification obligations, we may be responsible for future payments to resolve infringement claims against them. From time to time, we receive correspondence asserting that our products or processes are or may be infringing patents or other intellectual property rights of others. If we believe the assertions may have merit or in other appropriate circumstances, we may take steps to seek to obtain a license or to avoid the infringement. We cannot predict, however, whether a license will be available; that we would find the terms of any license offered acceptable; or that we would be able to develop an alternative solution. Failure to obtain a necessary license or develop an alternative solution could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and costs and to suspend the manufacture of affected products. There are limitations on our ability to protect our intellectual property. Our intellectual property position is based in part on patents owned by us and patents licensed to us. We intend to continue to file patent applications in the future, where appropriate, and to pursue such applications with U.S. and certain foreign patent authorities. Our existing patents are subject to expiration and re-examination and we cannot be sure that additional patents will be issued on any new applications around the covered technology or that our existing or future patents will not be successfully contested by third parties. Also, since issuance of a valid patent does not prevent other companies from using alternative, non-infringing technology, we cannot be sure that any of our patents, or patents issued to others and licensed to us, will provide significant commercial protection, especially as new competitors enter the market. We periodically discover products that are counterfeit reproductions of our products or that otherwise infringe on our intellectual property rights. The actions we take to establish and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights may not be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others, and therefore, may adversely affect our sales and our brand and result in the shift of customer preference away from our products. Further, the actions we take to establish and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights could result in significant legal expense and divert the efforts of our technical personnel and management, even if the litigation or other action results in a determination favorable to us. We also rely on trade secrets and other non-patented proprietary information relating to our product development and manufacturing activities. We try to protect this information through appropriate efforts to maintain its secrecy, including requiring employees and third parties to sign confidentiality agreements. We cannot be sure that these efforts will be successful or that the confidentiality agreements will not be breached. We also cannot be sure that we would have adequate remedies for any breach of such agreements or other misappropriation of our trade secrets, or that our trade secrets and proprietary know-how will not otherwise become known or be independently discovered by others. We may be required to recognize a significant charge to earnings if our goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired. Goodwill and purchased intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually and more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of the unamortized balance of our finite-lived intangible assets when indicators of potential impairment are present. Factors that may indicate that the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in our stock price and market capitalization and slower growth rates in our industry. The recognition of a significant charge to earnings in our consolidated financial statements resulting from any impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets could adversely impact our results of operations. 19 We may be subject to confidential information theft or misuse, which could harm our business and results of operations. We face attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems on which we maintain proprietary and other confidential information. Our security measures may be breached as the result of industrial or other espionage actions of outside parties, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, and as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our systems. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to access our confidential information through other means, for example by fraudulently inducing our employees to disclose confidential information. We actively seek to prevent, detect and investigate any unauthorized access, which sometimes occurs. We might be unaware of any such access or unable to determine its magnitude and effects. The theft and/or unauthorized use or publication of our trade secrets and other confidential business information as a result of such an incident could adversely affect our competitive position and the value of our investment in research and development could be reduced. Our business could be subject to significant disruption and we could suffer monetary or other losses. We are subject to risks related to international sales and purchases. We expect that revenue from international sales will continue to represent a significant portion of our total revenue. As such, a significant slowdown or instability in relevant foreign economies, including economic instability in Europe, or lower investments in new infrastructure could have a negative impact on our sales. We also purchase a portion of the materials included in our products from overseas sources. Our international sales and purchases are subject to numerous U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including, without limitation, tariffs, trade sanctions, trade barriers, regulations relating to import-export control, technology transfer restrictions, the International Traffic in Arms Regulation promulgated under the Arms Export Control Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the anti-boycott provisions of the U.S. Export Administration Act. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we could be liable for administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, and, in the extreme case, we could be suspended or debarred from government contracts or have our export privileges suspended, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. International sales and purchases are also subject to a variety of other risks, including risks arising from currency fluctuations, collection issues and taxes. Our international sales are subject to variability as our selling prices become less competitive in countries with currencies that are declining in value against the U.S. Dollar and more competitive in countries with currencies that are increasing in value against the U.S. Dollar. In addition, our international purchases can become more expensive if the U.S. Dollar weakens against the foreign currencies in which we are billed. We have entered and may in the future enter into foreign currency derivative financial instruments in an effort to manage or hedge some of our foreign exchange rate risk. We may not be able to engage in hedging transactions in the future, and, even if we do, foreign currency fluctuations may still have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our business may be adversely affected by uncertainties in the global financial markets and our or our customers’ or suppliers’ ability to access the capital markets. Global financial markets continue to reflect uncertainty about a sustained global economic recovery. Given these uncertainties, there could be future disruptions in the global economy, financial markets and consumer confidence. If economic conditions deteriorate unexpectedly, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. For example, our customers, including our distributors and their customers, may experience difficulty obtaining the working capital and other financing necessary to support historical or projected purchasing patterns, which could negatively affect our results of operations. Although we believe we have adequate liquidity and capital resources to fund our operations internally and under our existing line of credit, our inability to access the capital markets on favorable terms in the future, or at all, may adversely affect our financial performance. The inability to obtain adequate financing from debt or capital sources in the future could force us to self-fund strategic initiatives or even forego certain opportunities, which in turn could potentially harm our performance. 20 Changes in our effective tax rate may affect our results. Our future effective tax rates may be affected by a number of factors including: • • • • • • • • • • • the jurisdiction in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed; changes in government administrations, such as the Presidency and Congress of the U.S. as well as in the states and countries in which we operate; changes in tax laws or interpretation of such tax laws and changes in generally accepted accounting principles; the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various authorities; changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including impairment of goodwill in connection with acquisitions; changes in available tax credits; the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions; the lack of sufficient excess tax benefits (credits) in our additional paid-in-capital pool in situations where our realized tax deductions for certain stock-based compensation awards (such as non-qualified stock options and restricted stock) are less than those originally anticipated; and the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which we have not previously provided for U.S. taxes or any changes in legislation that may result in these earnings being taxed within the U.S., regardless of our decision regarding repatriation of funds. Any significant increase or decrease in our future effective tax rates could impact net (loss) income for future periods. In addition, the determination of our income tax provision requires complex estimations, significant judgments and significant knowledge and experience concerning the applicable tax laws. To the extent our income tax liability materially differs from our income tax provisions due to factors, including the above, which were not anticipated at the time we estimated our tax provision, our net (loss) income or cash flows could be affected. Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations worldwide could harm our business and results of operations. The manufacturing, assembling and testing of our products require the use of hazardous materials that are subject to a broad array of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Our failure to comply with any of these applicable laws or regulations could result in: • • • • regulatory penalties, fines, legal liabilities and the forfeiture of certain tax benefits; suspension of production; alteration of our fabrication, assembly and test processes; and curtailment of our operations or sales. In addition, our failure to manage the use, transportation, emission, discharge, storage, recycling or disposal of hazardous materials could subject us to increased costs or future liabilities. Existing and future environmental laws and regulations could also require us to acquire pollution abatement or remediation equipment, modify our product designs or incur other expenses, such as permit costs, associated with such laws and regulations. Many new materials that we are evaluating for use in our operations may be subject to regulation under existing or future environmental laws and regulations that may restrict our use of one or more of such materials in our manufacturing, assembly and test processes or products. Any of these restrictions could harm our business and results of operations by increasing our expenses or requiring us to alter our manufacturing processes. 21 Our results could vary as a result of the methods, estimates and judgments that we use in applying our accounting policies, including changes in the accounting standards to be applied. The methods, estimates and judgments that we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our results (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report). Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and factors may arise over time that lead us to change our methods, estimates and judgments. Changes in those methods, estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations or financial condition. Likewise, our results may be impacted due to changes in the accounting standards to be applied, such as the increased use of fair value measurement standards and changes in revenue recognition requirements. Catastrophic events may disrupt our business. A disruption or failure of our systems or operations in the event of a natural disaster, health pandemic, such as an influenza outbreak within our workforce, or man-made catastrophic event could cause delays in completing sales, continuing production or performing other critical functions of our business, particularly if a catastrophic event occurred at our primary manufacturing locations or our subcontractors' locations. Any of these events could severely affect our ability to conduct normal business operations and, as a result, our operating results could be adversely affected. There may also be secondary impacts that are unforeseeable as well, such as impacts to our customers, which could cause delays in new orders, delays in completing sales or even order cancellations. Our stock price may be volatile. Historically, our common stock has experienced substantial price volatility, particularly as a result of significant fluctuations in our revenue, earnings and margins over the past few years, and variations between our actual financial results and the published expectations of analysts. For example, the closing price per share of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ranged from a low of $27.00 to a high of $52.83 during the 12 months ended June 28, 2015. If our future operating results or margins are below the expectations of stock market analysts or our investors, our stock price will likely decline. Speculation and opinions in the press or investment community about our strategic position, financial condition, results of operations or significant transactions can also cause changes in our stock price. In particular, speculation around our market opportunities for energy efficient lighting may have a dramatic effect on our stock price, especially as various government agencies announce their planned investments in energy efficient technology, including lighting. We have outstanding debt which could materially restrict our business and adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations Our indebtedness consists of borrowings from our revolving credit facility. Our ability to pay interest and repay the principal for our indebtedness is dependent upon our ability to manage our business operations and generate sufficient cash flows to service such debt. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage any of these risks successfully. The level of outstanding debt under this facility may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition by, among other things: • • • • increasing our vulnerability to downturns in our business, to competitive pressures and to adverse general economic and industry conditions; requiring the dedication of an increased portion of our expected cash flows from operations to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of expected cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, research and development and stock repurchases; limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our peers that may have less indebtedness than we have by limiting our ability to borrow additional funds needed to operate and grow our business; and • increasing our interest expense if interest rates increase. Our revolving credit facility requires us to maintain compliance with certain financial ratios. In addition, our revolving credit facility contains certain restrictions that could limit our ability to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness, dispose of 22 assets, create liens on assets, make acquisitions or engage in mergers or consolidations, and engage in certain transactions with our subsidiaries and affiliates. These restrictions could limit our ability to plan for or react to changing business conditions, or could otherwise restrict our business activities and plans. Our ability to comply with our loan covenants may also be affected by events beyond our control and if any of these restrictions or terms is breached, it could lead to an event of default under our revolving credit facility. A default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of our indebtedness. In addition, our lenders could terminate their commitments to make further extensions of credit under our revolving credit facility. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot be certain that we will have sufficient funds to pay the accelerated indebtedness or that we will have the ability to refinance accelerated indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all. Regulations related to conflict-free minerals may force us to incur additional expenses. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains provisions to improve transparency and accountability concerning the supply of minerals originating from the conflict zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. As a result, in August 2012 the SEC established new annual disclosure and reporting requirements for those companies who may use “conflict” minerals mined from the DRC and adjoining countries in their products. Due diligence efforts were required to begin in the 2013 calendar year. Our most recent disclosure regarding our due diligence was filed in June 2015 for calendar year 2014. These requirements could affect the sourcing and availability of certain minerals used in the manufacture of our products. As a result, we may not be able to obtain the relevant minerals at competitive prices and there will likely be additional costs associated with complying with the due diligence procedures as required by the SEC. In addition, because our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational challenges with our customers and other stakeholders if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins of all minerals used in our products through the due diligence procedures that we implement, and we may incur additional costs as a result of changes to product, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of these requirements. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Not applicable. 23 Item 2. Properties The table below sets forth information with respect to our significant owned and leased facilities as of June 28, 2015. The sizes of the locations represent the approximate gross square footage of each site’s buildings. Location Owned Facilities Durham, NC.......................... Research Triangle Park, NC . Racine, WI ............................ Huizhou, China ..................... Total owned ................... Leased Facilities Durham, NC.......................... Morrisville, NC..................... Laredo, TX............................ Goleta, CA ............................ Yorkville, WI........................ Florence, Italy ....................... Sesto Fiorentino, Italy........... Hong Kong............................ Misc. sales and support offices ................................... Total leased.................... Size (approximate gross square footage) Segment Utilization1 Total Production Facility Services and Warehousing Administrative Function Housing / Other All 2,3 1 2 1 1 1 All 1 1,2 1,2 All All 1,112,626 203,995 802,845 806,335 2,925,801 533,512 90,613 160,000 330,118 1,114,243 188,982 27,050 100,545 25,623 79,016 35,360 68,889 36,090 67,675 629,230 42,000 — — — — 4,628 18,000 — — 64,628 273,232 62,855 418,000 101,105 855,192 134,982 — 97,545 1,882 77,316 21,679 20,672 — 9,976 364,052 305,882 50,527 224,845 41,764 623,018 12,000 27,050 3,000 23,741 1,700 9,053 30,217 29,955 54,470 191,186 — — — 333,348 333,348 — — — — — — — 6,135 3,229 9,364 Total gross square footage......... 3,555,031 1,178,871 1,219,244 814,204 342,712 1 Segments listed in the “Segment Utilization” column above are identified as follows: 1) Lighting Products; 2) LED Products and 3) Power and RF Products. In the United States, our corporate headquarters as well as our primary research and development and manufacturing operations are located at the Durham, North Carolina facilities that we own. These Durham facilities sit on 149 acres of land that we own. Our power and RF products are primarily produced at our owned manufacturing facility located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This facility sits on 55 acres of land that we own. Domestically, our lighting products are primarily produced at our owned facility in Racine, Wisconsin, which sits on 33 acres of land that we own and a leased facility in Durham, North Carolina. LED products are produced at our owned manufacturing facilities located in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China. We also own dormitories for housing our Chinese employees near and adjacent to the owned manufacturing facilities. The owned manufacturing facilities, dormitories, and support buildings are located on land that is leased from the Chinese government through four leases. The land leases supporting the manufacturing facilities include: a lease for eight acres that expires in June 2057; a lease for two acres that expires in November 2060; and a lease for three acres that expires in December 2063. There is a separate land lease for five acres, which land is used for dormitory buildings, that expires in December 2082. During fiscal 2015, the Company also produced LED products at a leased facility in Huizhou. Production was moved to the owned manufacturing facilities in Huizhou in spring 2015, and the leased facility was surrendered to the landlord. We also maintain sales and support offices, through our subsidiaries, in leased office premises in North America, Asia, and Europe. In addition, we lease a facility in Goleta, California that is used for research and development and administrative functions. Item 3. Legal Proceedings The information required by this item is set forth under Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report, and is incorporated herein by reference. 24 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Common Stock Market Information Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and is quoted under the symbol CREE. There were 348 holders of record of our common stock as of August 24, 2015. The following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the high and low closing sales prices as reported by NASDAQ. First Quarter......................................................................... Second Quarter .................................................................... Third Quarter ....................................................................... Fourth Quarter ..................................................................... Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 High Low High Low $52.83 41.42 39.56 35.90 $41.11 27.28 29.75 27.00 $75.76 74.32 67.33 58.10 $53.90 54.01 55.01 44.99 We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate that we will do so in the foreseeable future. Our credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and other lenders party thereto, contains certain dividend distribution restrictions. Applicable state laws may also limit the payment of dividends. Our present policy is to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds to invest in our business. 25 Stock Performance Graph The following information in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing. The following graph compares the cumulative total return on our common stock with the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Electronic Components Index for the five-year period commencing June 27, 2010. The stock price performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return* Among Cree, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Electronic Components Index * Assumes (1) $100 invested on June 27, 2010 in Cree, Inc. Common Stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Electronic Components Index and (2) the immediate reinvestment of all dividends. Cree, Inc. .............................. NASDAQ Composite Index NASDAQ Electronic Components Index .............. 6/27/2010 $100.00 100.00 6/26/2011 $52.20 120.43 6/24/2012 $37.58 132.73 6/30/2013 $98.11 158.44 6/29/2014 $74.52 207.32 6/28/2015 $41.50 242.26 100.00 99.47 102.52 121.21 154.66 170.90 Sale of Unregistered Securities There were no unregistered securities sold during fiscal 2015. 26 Stock Repurchase Program The following table summarizes stock repurchase activity for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 (in thousands except price per share data): Period Shares repurchased under our Stock Repurchase Program March 30, 2015 to April 26, 2015.............. April 27, 2015 to May 24, 2015................. May 25, 2015 to June 28, 2015.................. Total....................................................... Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1) 1,853 2,932 — 4,785 $34.92 $32.39 $— $33.37 13,087 16,019 16,019 $94,993 $5 $5 (1) On October 27, 2014, our Board of Directors approved an increase in the amount of our stock repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $550 million for all purchases from June 30, 2014 through the expiration of the program on June 28, 2015. On June 18, 2015, our Board of Directors approved another increase, authorizing us to repurchase shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $500 million for all purchases from June 29, 2015 through the new expiration of the program on June 26, 2016. Since the inception of our stock repurchase program in January 2001 through June 28, 2015, we have repurchased 28.4 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $30.07 per share with an aggregate value of $855.1 million. The repurchase program can be implemented through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of our management. Item 6. Selected Financial Data The consolidated statement of (loss) income data set forth below with respect to the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014, and June 30, 2013 and the consolidated balance sheet data at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and notes thereto. The consolidated statement of income data for the fiscal years ended June 24, 2012 and June 26, 2011 and the consolidated balance sheet data at June 30, 2013, June 24, 2012, and June 26, 2011 are derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. 27 Selected Consolidated Financial Data (In thousands, except per share data) Consolidated Statement of Income Data1 Revenue, net .................................................... Operating (loss) income .................................. Net (loss) income............................................. (Loss) earnings per share:................................ Basic ................................................................ Diluted ............................................................. Weighted average shares used in per share calculation: June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2013 June 24, 2012 June 26, 2011 $1,632,505 (72,513) (64,051) $1,647,641 134,275 124,191 $1,385,982 96,494 86,925 $1,164,658 39,258 44,412 $987,615 168,706 146,500 ($0.57) ($0.57) $1.03 $1.01 $0.75 $0.74 $0.39 $0.39 $1.35 $1.33 Basic ................................................................ Diluted ............................................................. 113,022 113,022 120,623 122,914 116,621 117,979 114,693 115,225 108,522 110,035 Consolidated Balance Sheet Data1 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 24, 2012 June 26, 2011 $713,191 Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments ...................................................... Working capital................................................ Total assets....................................................... Total long-term liabilities ................................ Total shareholders’ equity................................ 1 Consolidated statement of income data and balance sheet data for fiscal year 2012 include Ruud Lighting from the date of its acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. 1,015,104 2,747,498 38,304 2,560,017 1,053,464 2,954,400 233,258 2,466,356 1,308,355 3,052,410 38,347 2,806,652 1,316,579 2,446,722 44,842 2,261,564 1,467,236 3,344,369 47,568 2,990,146 $1,023,915 $1,085,797 $1,162,466 $744,513 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Executive Summary The following discussion is designed to provide a better understanding of our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, including a brief discussion of our business and products, key factors that impacted our performance and a summary of our operating results. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Historical results and percentage relationships among any amounts in the financial statements are not necessarily indicative of trends in operating results for any future periods. Overview Cree, Inc. (Cree, we, our, or us) is a leading innovator of lighting-class light emitting diode (LED) products, lighting products and wide bandgap semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications. Our products are targeted for applications such as indoor and outdoor lighting, video displays, transportation, electronic signs and signals, power supplies, inverters and wireless systems. Our lighting products primarily consist of LED lighting systems and bulbs. We design, manufacture and sell lighting fixtures and lamps for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. 28 Our LED products consist of LED components, LED chips, and silicon carbide (SiC) materials. Our success in selling LED products depends upon our ability to offer innovative products and to enable our customers to develop and market LED-based products that successfully compete against other LED-based products and drive LED adoption against traditional lighting products. In addition, we develop, manufacture and sell power and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). Our power products are made from SiC and provide increased efficiency, faster switching speeds and reduced system size and weight over comparable silicon-based power devices. Our RF devices are made from GaN and provide improved efficiency, bandwidth and frequency of operation as compared to silicon or gallium arsenide (GaAs). The majority of our products are manufactured at our production facilities located in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and China. We also use contract manufacturers for certain aspects of product fabrication, assembly and packaging. We operate research and development facilities in North Carolina, California, Wisconsin, India, and China (including Hong Kong). Cree, Inc. is a North Carolina corporation established in 1987, and our headquarters are in Durham, North Carolina. For further information about our consolidated revenue and earnings, please see our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Reportable Segments Our three reportable segments are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Power and RF Products Reportable segments are components of an entity that have separate financial data that the entity’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) regularly reviews when allocating resources and assessing performance. Our CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. Our CODM does not review inter-segment transactions when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources to each segment, and inter-segment transactions are not included in our segment revenue disclosure. As such, total segment revenue is equal to our consolidated revenue. Our CODM reviews gross profit as the lowest and only level of segment profit. As such, all items below gross profit in the Consolidated Statements of Income must be included to reconcile the consolidated gross profit to our consolidated (loss) income before income taxes. For financial results by reportable segment, please refer to Note 13, “Reportable Segments,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Industry Dynamics and Trends There are a number of industry factors that affect our business which include, among others: • Overall Demand for Products and Applications using LEDs. Our potential for growth depends significantly on the adoption of LEDs within the general lighting market and our ability to affect this rate of adoption. Although the market for LED lighting has grown in recent years, adoption of LEDs for general lighting is still in the relatively early stages. Demand also fluctuates based on various market cycles, a continuously evolving LED industry supply chain, and evolving competitive dynamics in the market. These uncertainties make demand difficult to forecast for us and our customers. • Intense and Constantly Evolving Competitive Environment. Competition in the LED and lighting industry is intense. Many companies have made significant investments in LED development and production equipment. Traditional lighting companies and new entrants are investing in LED-based lighting products as LED adoption has gained momentum. Traditional lighting companies have taken steps to limit access to their sales channels, including lighting agents and distributors. Product pricing pressures exist as market participants often undertake pricing strategies to gain or protect market share, increase the utilization of their production capacity and open new applications to LED- based solutions. To remain competitive, market participants must continuously increase product performance and reduce costs. To address these competitive pressures, we have invested in research and development activities to support new product development and to deliver higher levels of performance and lower costs to differentiate our products in the market. 29 • Technological Innovation and Advancement. Innovations and advancements in LED, power and RF technologies continue to expand the potential commercial application for our products, particularly in the general illumination, power electronics and wireless markets. However, new technologies or standards could emerge or improvements could be made in existing technologies that could reduce or limit the demand for our products in certain markets. • Regulatory Standards Concerning Energy Efficiency. Government agencies are involved in setting standards for energy efficient lighting, which can affect market acceptance and the availability of rebates from government agencies or third parties such as utilities. While this trend is generally positive, these regulations are affected by changing political priorities and evolving technical standards which can modify or limit the effectiveness of these new regulations. • Intellectual Property Issues. Market participants rely on patented and non-patented proprietary information relating to product development, manufacturing capabilities and other core competencies of their business. Protection of intellectual property is critical. Therefore, steps such as additional patent applications, confidentiality and non- disclosure agreements, as well as other security measures are generally taken. To enforce or protect intellectual property rights, litigation or threatened litigation is common. Fiscal 2015 Overview The following is a summary of our financial results for the year ended June 28, 2015: • Our year-over-year revenue remained flat at $1.6 billion. • Gross margin decreased to 29%. Gross profit decreased by $144 million to $475 million. • Operating loss was $73 million in fiscal 2015 compared to operating income of $134 million in fiscal 2014. Net loss per diluted share was $0.57 in fiscal 2015 compared to net income per diluted share of $1.01 in fiscal 2014. • Combined cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased to $0.7 billion at June 28, 2015 compared to $1.2 billion at June 29, 2014. Cash provided by operating activities was $181 million in fiscal 2015, compared to $319 million in fiscal 2014. • We spent $550 million to repurchase 16 million shares of our common stock. • Inventories decreased to $281 million at June 28, 2015 compared to $285 million at June 29, 2014. • We spent $206 million on purchases of property and equipment in fiscal 2015 compared to $179 million in fiscal 2014. Business Outlook We project that the markets for our products will expand, but remain highly competitive during fiscal 2016. We anticipate focusing on the following key areas, among others, to position the company to take advantage of the growing market opportunities while responding to the competitive environment: • Build financial momentum. We target overall company revenue growth of approximately 10% in fiscal 2016 with operating margins increasing for the year. The key components are: • • • grow our commercial Lighting business and improve product margins; stabilize our LED business; expand our Power and RF business; and • manage our operating expenses to improve operating leverage. • Innovate to continue to lead in each of our business segments. We have established ourselves as the innovation leader in Lighting, LEDs and wide bandgap Power and RF. We’re focused on continuing to develop new products that deliver fundamentally more value to drive new customer demand and build our brand. • Promote future growth in Power and RF. Cree announced its intent to spin-off its Power and RF Products business with an initial public offering in fiscal 2016 to raise capital to support the business's targeted future growth. Cree believes that this transaction will allow Cree shareholders to better realize the full value of both businesses. 30 Results of Operations The following table sets forth certain consolidated statement of income data for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages): June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Dollars % of Revenue Dollars % of Revenue Dollars % of Revenue 182,797 290,730 Revenue, net ........................................ $1,632,505 1,157,549 Cost of revenue, net.............................. Gross profit ......................................... 474,956 Research and development................... Sales, general and administrative ......... Amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles.............. Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ................................... Operating (loss) income ..................... Non-operating (loss) income, net ......... (Loss) income before income taxes.... Income tax (benefit) expense ............... Net (loss) income................................. Basic (loss) earnings per share ............. Diluted (loss) earnings per share .......... 26,220 (18,851) ($64,051) 47,722 (72,513) (10,389) (82,902) ($0.57) ($0.57) 100 % $1,647,641 100% $1,385,982 100% 71 % 1,028,846 618,795 29 % 11 % 18 % 181,382 268,460 2 % 31,988 13,295 147,570 2,690 134,275 3 % (4)% (1 )% (5)% (1 )% 23,379 (4)% $124,191 $1.03 $1.01 62 % 38% 11 % 16 % 2 % 0 % 8% 1 % 9% 1 % 8% 862,722 523,260 155,889 236,581 30,823 3,473 96,494 11,063 107,557 20,632 $86,925 $0.75 $0.74 62 % 38% 11 % 17 % 2 % 0 % 7% 1 % 8% 1 % 6% LED Business Restructuring In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a plan to restructure the LED business. Due to recent LED market trends that have resulted in higher LED average selling price erosion than previously forecasted and the continued under-utilization of our LED factory, the restructuring is expected to reduce excess capacity and overhead in order to improve the cost structure moving forward. The primary components of the restructuring include the planned sale or abandonment of certain manufacturing equipment, facility consolidation and the elimination of certain positions. Additionally, we increased LED reserves to reflect the more aggressive pricing environment experienced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and to factor in a more conservative pricing outlook for fiscal 2016. The following table summarizes the actual and planned charges incurred through June 28, 2015 (in thousands): Capacity and overhead cost reductions Amounts incurred through June 28, 2015 Estimated charges Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ... $ 59,487 $ 42,716 Severance expense........................................................ 2,145 Lease termination and facility consolidation costs ...... Increase in channel inventory reserves......................... Increase in inventory reserves ...................................... Total restructuring charges......................................... $ 2,682 26,479 11,091 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets Sales, general and administrative expenses Sales, general and administrative expenses 2,019 1,246 26,479 Revenue, net 11,091 Cost of revenue, net 101,884 $ 83,551 31 Revenue Revenue was comprised of the following (in thousands, except percentages): Lighting Products.............. $ Percent of revenue.......... LED Products.................... Percent of revenue.......... Power and RF Products .... Percent of revenue.......... Total revenue...... Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 2013 to 2014 906,502 $ 706,425 $ 495,089 $ 200,077 28 % $ 211,336 43% 55% 43% 36% 602,082 833,684 801,483 (231,602) (28)% 32,201 4% 37% 51% 58% 123,921 107,532 89,410 16,389 15 % 18,122 20% 8% 6% 6% $1,632,505 $1,647,641 $1,385,982 ($15,136) (1)% $261,659 19% Our consolidated revenue remained flat at $1.6 billion in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Lighting Products revenue and Power and RF Products revenue increased by 28% and 15%, respectively, while LED Products revenue decreased by 28%. For the fiscal year ended 2014, our consolidated revenue increased 19% to $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended 2013. This increase was driven by the 43% increase in Lighting Products revenue and the 20% increase in Power and RF Products revenue. Lighting Products Segment Revenue Lighting Products revenue represented approximately 55%, 43%, and 36% of our total revenue for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively. Lighting Products revenue was $906.5 million, $706.4 million, and $495.1 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013 respectively. Lighting Products revenue increased 28% to $906.5 million in fiscal 2015 from $706.4 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was the result of an overall increase in the number of units sold, partially offset by a reduction in average selling prices (ASP). The overall number of units sold increased 44% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 primarily driven by LED bulb products due to increased market adoption of LED lighting products. The ASP decreased 11% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 primarily due to a higher mix of lower priced LED bulb products. Lighting Products revenue increased 43% to $706.4 million in fiscal 2014 from $495.1 million in fiscal 2013. This increase was the result of an overall increase in the number of units sold, partially offset by a reduction in ASP. The overall number of units sold increased 104% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 primarily driven by LED bulb products. The ASP decreased 30% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 primarily due to a higher mix of lower priced LED bulb products. LED Products Segment Revenue LED Products revenue represented 37%, 51%, and 58% of our total revenue for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. LED Products revenue was $602.1 million, $833.7 million, and $801.5 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. LED Products revenue decreased 28% to $602.1 million in fiscal 2015 from $833.7 million in fiscal 2014. This decrease was the result of an overall decrease in the number of units sold and a reduction in ASP due to increased global competition for LED products which impacted both our LED chip and LED component product lines. The reduction in ASP includes the impact of the increase in channel inventory reserves pursuant to our restructuring plan discussed above. The overall number of units sold decreased 14% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 and the ASP decreased 15% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. LED Products revenue increased 4% to $833.7 million in fiscal 2014 from $801.5 million in fiscal 2013. This increase was the result of an overall increase in the number of units sold, primarily from our newer products, partially offset by a reduction in ASP due to increased global competition for LED products. The overall number of units sold increased 19% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 and the ASP decreased 13% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. Power and RF Products Segment Revenue Power and RF Products revenue represented approximately 8%, 6%, and 6% of our total revenue for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Power and RF Products revenue was $123.9 million, $107.5 million, and $89.4 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Power and RF Products revenue increased 15% to $123.9 million in fiscal 2015 from $107.5 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was primarily the result of increased market adoption of power products that resulted in an overall increase in the number of units 32 sold due to increased demand for SiC based devices. The overall number of units sold increased 21% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Power and RF Products revenue increased 20% to $107.5 million in fiscal 2014 from $89.4 million in fiscal 2013. This increase was primarily the result of 39% higher RF product unit sales in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The increased volume was partially offset by an overall reduction in ASP. The overall ASP decreased 12% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 primarily due to a higher mix of new lower priced Power and RF products. Gross Profit and Gross Margin Gross profit and gross margin were as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Lighting Products gross profit ................. $ 235,542 June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 $ 197,304 June 30, 2013 $ 148,947 Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 38,238 $ 2013 to 2014 19 % $ 48,357 32% Lighting Products gross margin.......... LED Products........................................... LED Products Gross Margin............... Power and RF Products gross profit ........ Power and RF Products gross margin Unallocated costs ..................................... 55% (19,262) Consolidated gross profit ............... $474,956 Consolidated gross margin............. 29% 26% 28% 30% 190,912 381,003 344,649 (190,091) (50)% 36,354 11% 32% 46% 43% 67,764 60,723 48,127 7,041 12 % 12,596 26% 56% (20,235) $618,795 54% (18,463) $523,260 38% 38% 973 ($143,839) (5)% (1,772) (23)% $95,535 10% 18% Our consolidated gross profit decreased 23% to $475.0 million in fiscal 2015 from $618.8 million in fiscal 2014. Our consolidated gross margin decreased to 29% in fiscal 2015 from 38% in fiscal 2014. Our consolidated gross profit increased 18% to $618.8 million in fiscal 2014 from $523.3 million in fiscal 2013. Our consolidated gross margin remained consistent at 38% in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013. Lighting Products Segment Gross Profit and Gross Margin Lighting Products gross profit was $235.5 million, $197.3 million, and $148.9 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Lighting Products gross margin was 26%, 28%, and 30% in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Lighting Products gross profit increased 19% to $235.5 million in fiscal 2015 from $197.3 million in fiscal 2014, due to growth in LED lighting products sales as discussed above. Lighting Products gross margin decreased to 26% in fiscal 2015 from 28% in fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower LED bulb margins resulting from a more competitive pricing environment. Lighting Products gross profit increased 32% to $197.3 million in fiscal 2014 from $148.9 million in fiscal 2013, due to growth in LED lighting products sales as discussed above. Lighting Products gross margin decreased to 28% in fiscal 2014 from 30% in fiscal 2013, primarily due to changes in product mix driven primarily by higher sales of LED bulbs, which have lower gross margins. LED Products Segment Gross Profit and Gross Margin Our LED Products gross profit was $190.9 million, $381.0 million, and $344.6 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. LED Products gross margin was 32%, 46%, and 43% in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. LED Products gross profit decreased 50% to $190.9 million in fiscal 2015 from $381.0 million in fiscal 2014, and LED Products gross margin decreased to 32% in fiscal 2015 from 46% in fiscal 2014. LED Products gross profit and gross margin decreased due to lower units sold, lower pricing, increases in channel inventory reserves and inventory reserves pursuant to our restructuring plan, all of which are discussed above, and lower factory utilization resulting from lower demand and our targeted actions in the latter half of fiscal 2015 to reduce inventory balances for our LED Products and Lighting Products segments. LED Products gross profit increased 11% to $381.0 million in fiscal 2014 from $344.6 million in fiscal 2013, and LED Products gross margin increased to 46% in fiscal 2014 from 43% in fiscal 2013. LED Products gross profit and gross margin increased during fiscal 2014 due to higher revenue, factory cost reductions, the introduction of new lower cost products and higher factory utilization. These benefits more than offset the reduction in ASP in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. 33 Power and RF Products Segment Gross Profit and Gross Margin Power and RF Products gross profit was $67.8 million, $60.7 million, and $48.1 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Power and RF Products gross margin was 55%, 56%, and 54% in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Power and RF Products gross profit increased 12% to $67.8 million in fiscal 2015 from $60.7 million in fiscal 2014 primarily due to higher revenue. Power and RF Products gross margin decreased to 55% in fiscal 2015 from 56% in fiscal 2014 primarily due to changes in product mix. Power and RF Products gross profit increased 26% to $60.7 million in fiscal 2014 from $48.1 million in fiscal 2013. Power and RF Products gross margin increased to 56% in fiscal 2014 from 54% in fiscal 2013. Power and RF Products gross profit and gross margin increases were due primarily to higher revenue, factory cost reductions, increased factory utilization, and introduction of new lower cost products. These benefits more than offset the reduction in ASP in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. Unallocated Costs Unallocated costs were $19.3 million, $20.2 million, and $18.5 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. These costs consisted primarily of manufacturing employees’ stock-based compensation, expenses for profit sharing and quarterly or annual incentive plans and matching contributions under our 401(k) plan. These costs were not allocated to the reportable segments’ gross profit because our CODM does not review them regularly when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources. Unallocated costs decreased by $1.0 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower incentive and stock- based compensation incurred as a result of declining business performance year over year. Unallocated costs increased by $1.8 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, primarily due to higher incentive and stock- based compensation incurred as a result of improved business performance year over year. For further information on the allocation of costs to segment gross profit, refer to Note 13, “Reportable Segments,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Research and Development Research and development expenses include costs associated with the development of new products, enhancements of existing products and general technology research. These costs consisted primarily of employee salaries and related compensation costs, occupancy costs, consulting costs and the cost of development equipment and supplies. The following sets forth our research and development expenses in dollars and as a percentage of revenue (in thousands, except percentages): Research and development .... $182,797 June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 $181,382 June 30, 2013 $155,889 Percent of revenue .......... 11% 11% 11% Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 2013 to 2014 $1,415 1% $25,493 16% Research and development expenses increased slightly in fiscal 2015 at $182.8 million compared to $181.4 million in fiscal 2014, which was a 16% increase from $155.9 million in fiscal 2013. In fiscal 2014, the increase was primarily due to increased spending on research and development activities focused on new higher performance and lower cost products in all our product lines. Our research and development expenses vary significantly from year to year based on a number of factors, including the timing of new product introductions and the number and nature of our ongoing research and development activities. We anticipate that in general our research and development expenses will continue to increase over time to support future growth. 34 Sales, General and Administrative Sales, general and administrative expenses were comprised primarily of costs associated with our sales and marketing personnel and our executive and administrative personnel (for example, finance, human resources, information technology and legal) and consisted of salaries and related compensation costs; consulting and other professional services (such as litigation and other outside legal counsel fees, audit and other compliance costs); marketing and advertising expenses; facilities and insurance costs and travel and other costs. The following table sets forth our sales, general and administrative expenses in dollars and as a percentage of revenue (in thousands, except percentages): Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 2013 to 2014 Sales, general and administrative ......................... Percent of revenue........... $290,730 $268,460 $236,581 $22,270 8% $31,879 13% 18% 16% 17% Sales, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2015 increased 8% to $290.7 million from $268.5 million in fiscal 2014, which was a 13% increase from $236.6 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was primarily due to an increase in legal fees related to recent cases we have filed in connection with enforcing our patent rights, severance and lease termination costs pursuant to our restructuring plan discussed above, and higher spending on sales and marketing for lighting products, including commissions, trade shows and advertising, as we continue to expand our direct sales resources and channels and invest in building and promoting the Cree brand. The increase in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 was primarily due to higher spending on sales and marketing for lighting products, including commissions, trade shows and advertising, as we continued to expand our direct sales resources and channels and invest in building and promoting the Cree brand. Additionally, the increase in fiscal 2014 included personnel additions to support our growth. Amortization or Impairment of Acquisition-Related Intangibles As a result of our acquisitions, we have recognized various amortizable intangible assets, including customer relationships, developed technology, non-compete agreements and trade names. Amortization of intangible assets related to our acquisitions is as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 2013 to 2014 Customer relationships ............... Developed technology ................ Non-compete agreements ........... Trade names, finite-lived ............ Total..................................... $5,614 18,642 1,960 4 $26,220 $7,359 19,446 1,960 23 $28,788 $8,509 20,331 1,960 23 $30,823 ($1,745) (804) — (19) ($2,568) (24)% (4)% — % (83)% (9)% ($1,150) (885) — — ($2,035) (14)% (4)% — % — % (7)% Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles decreased in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 primarily due to decreases in amortization expense for customer relationships and developed technology. In the fourth quarter of 2014, based on our qualitative impairment assessment of our indefinite-lived trade names, we impaired the Ruud Lighting trade name which had a book value of $3.2 million. 35 Loss on Disposal or Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We operate a capital intensive business. As such, we dispose of a certain level of our equipment in the normal course of business as our production processes change due to production improvement initiatives or product mix changes. Due to the risk of technological obsolescence or changes in our production process, we regularly review our equipment and capitalized patent costs for possible impairment. The following table sets forth our loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets (in thousands, except percentages): Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 2013 to 2014 Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ..................... $47,722 $2,690 $3,473 $45,032 1,674% ($783) (23)% We recognized a net loss of $47.7 million, $2.7 million, and $3.5 million on the disposal of long-lived assets in fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013 respectively. The net loss in fiscal 2015 was primarily due to the planned sale or abandonment of certain long- lived assets to reduce excess manufacturing capacity pursuant to our restructuring plan discussed above. The net losses for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 were primarily the result of disposals of equipment due to changes in various manufacturing processes and the abandonment of certain patent assets as a result of technological obsolescence. Non-Operating (Loss) Income, net The following table sets forth our non-operating (loss) income, net (in thousands, except percentages): Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 28, 2015 June 30, 2013 2014 to 2015 Year-Over-Year Change Gain on sale of investments, net................... Loss on equity method investment............... Dividends from equity method investment .. Interest income, net ...................................... Foreign currency (loss) gain, net.................. Other, net ...................................................... Non-operating (loss) income, net.......... $925 (22,624) 2,581 9,086 (929) 572 ($10,389) $68 — — 11,932 45 1,250 $13,295 $111 $857 — (22,624) 2,581 — (2,846) 7,882 (974) 735 (678) 2,335 ($23,684) $11,063 1,260 % — 2013 to 2014 ($43) — (39)% — — (24)% (2,164)% — 4,050 (690) (54)% (1,085) (178)% $2,232 — 51 % (94)% (46)% 20 % During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 we were in a net interest income position. Our short-term investments consisted primarily of municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. certificates of deposit and non-U.S. government securities. The primary objective of our investment policy is preservation of principal. Other long-term investments consisted of our approximately 13% common stock ownership interest in Lextar Electronics Corporation (Lextar), which was completed in December 2014. This investment is accounted for under the equity method utilizing the fair value option. Gain on sale of investments, net. Gain on sale of investments, net was $925 thousand and $68 thousand in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. Gain on sale of investments, net increased in fiscal 2015 primarily due to gains realized on sales of investments liquidated in order to fund the repurchase of our common stock. Loss on equity method investment. Loss on equity method investment was $22.6 million in fiscal 2015 due to the decrease in the fair value of our Lextar investment. Lextar’s stock is publicly traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and its share price declined from 30 New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) at the date of our investment in December 2014 to 21.55 TWD at June 28, 2015. This downward stock price trend has continued after June 28, 2015 and may continue in the future given the risks inherent in Lextar’s business and trends affecting the Taiwan and global equity markets. Any future stock price declines will be recorded as further losses on equity method investment based on the decrease in the fair value of the investment during the applicable fiscal period, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Dividends from equity method investment. Dividends from equity method investment was $2.6 million in fiscal 2015 due to our Lextar investment. Interest income, net. Interest income, net was $9.1 million and $11.9 million in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. The decrease in interest income, net in fiscal 2015 was primarily due to earning lower investment yields and lower invested balances as compared to fiscal 2014 and partially offset by interest expense associated with our revolving line of credit agreement. Interest 36 income, net increased from $7.9 million in fiscal 2013 to $11.9 million in fiscal 2014 primarily due to earning higher investment yields and higher invested balances in fiscal 2014. Foreign currency (loss) gain, net. Foreign currency (loss) gain, net consisted primarily of remeasurement adjustments resulting from our Lextar investment and consolidating our international subsidiaries. The foreign currency loss, net in fiscal 2015 was primarily due to fluctuation in the exchange rate between the TWD and the United States Dollar related to our Lextar investment and a decline in the exchange rate between the Euro and the United States Dollar. The foreign currency gain, net for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 was primarily due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan and the United States Dollar. Other, net. Other, net was $0.6 million and $1.3 million in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. Other, net decreased in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to the receipt of a Chinese government subsidy in fiscal 2014. Other, net decreased from $2.3 million in fiscal 2013 to $1.3 million in fiscal 2014 primarily due to the one-time payment received in fiscal 2013 in connection with the SemiLEDs patent litigation settlement. Income Tax (Benefit) Expense The following table sets forth our income tax (benefit) expense in dollars and our effective tax rate (in thousands, except percentages): Income tax (benefit) expense...... Effective tax rate.................. Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 $23,379 June 30, 2013 $20,632 June 28, 2015 ($18,851) Year-Over-Year Change 2014 to 2015 2013 to 2014 (42,230) (181)% 2,747 13% 23% 16% 19% We recognized income tax benefit of $18.9 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to income tax expense of $23.4 million in fiscal 2014. The increase in the effective tax rate from 16% in fiscal 2014 to 23% in fiscal 2015 was primarily due to the inverse relationship that tax credits had on the fiscal 2015 effective tax rate due to the pre-tax loss. Tax credits further increased the tax benefit generated by the pre-tax loss resulting in an increase in the effective tax rate. This was offset by a higher percentage of our pre-tax loss being derived from international operations which are taxed at lower tax rates than U.S. operations. Pre-tax losses in jurisdictions with lower tax rates generate lower tax benefits and decrease the effective tax rate in a year of a worldwide pre- tax loss. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 19% in fiscal 2013 to 16% in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the tax benefit related to the receipt of U.S. federal tax credits awarded on November 15, 2013 as part of Phase II of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Internal Revenue Code Section 48C). For further discussion of changes in our effective tax rate, please refer to Note 11, “Income Taxes,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. The variation between our effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory rate of 35% is due to a percentage of our income or loss being derived from international locations with lower tax rates than the U.S. and the impact of tax credits available in the current year. A change in the mix of pretax income or loss from these various tax jurisdictions can have a significant impact on our periodic effective tax rate. In addition, our effective tax rate may be negatively impacted by the lack of sufficient excess tax benefits (credits) that accumulate in our equity as additional paid-in-capital (APIC) and referred to as the “APIC pool” of credits. In situations where our realized tax deductions for certain stock-based compensation awards, such as non-qualified stock options and restricted stock, are less than those originally anticipated, which accumulate in the APIC pool, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) requires that we recognize the difference as an increase to income tax expense. Liquidity and Capital Resources Overview We require cash to fund our operating expenses and working capital requirements, including outlays for research and development, capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions and investments. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash on hand, marketable securities, cash generated from operations and availability under our line of credit. Our ability to generate cash from operations has been one of our fundamental strengths and has provided us with substantial flexibility in meeting our operating, financing and investing needs. We entered into a $500 million line of credit as discussed in Note 7, “Long-term Debt,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. The purpose of this facility is to provide short term flexibility to optimize returns on our cash and investment portfolio while funding share repurchases, capital expenditures and other general business needs. Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe our current working capital, availability under our line of credit and anticipated cash flows from operations will be adequate to meet our cash needs for our daily operations and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We may use a portion of our available cash and cash equivalents, line of credit or funds underlying our marketable securities to repurchase shares of our common stock pursuant to repurchase programs authorized by our Board of 37 Directors. With our strong working capital position, we believe that we have the ability to continue to invest in further development of our products and, when necessary or appropriate, make selective acquisitions or other strategic investments to strengthen our product portfolio, secure key intellectual properties or expand our production capacity. From time to time, we evaluate strategic opportunities, including potential acquisitions, divestitures, investments in complementary businesses, or spin-offs, and we anticipate continuing to make such evaluations. We may also access capital markets through the issuance of debt or additional shares of common stock in connection with the acquisition of complementary businesses or other significant assets or for other strategic opportunities. On May 18, 2015, we announced that a subsidiary holding our Power and RF Products business filed a confidential registration statement for an initial public offering. The initial public offering will raise capital to invest directly in the Power and RF Products business to support targeted future growth. Additionally, on July 8, 2015, Cree closed on the acquisition of Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI) as discussed in Note 18, “Subsequent Event,” in our consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Cree’s position in the SiC power electronics market. Contractual Obligations At June 28, 2015, payments to be made pursuant to significant contractual obligations are as follows (in thousands): Operating lease obligations................................ Purchase obligations .......................................... Long-term debt................................................... Interest payments on long-term debt1 ................ Other long-term liabilities2 ................................ Total contractual obligations ........................... Payments Due by Period Less than One Year One to Three Years Three to Five Years More Than Five Years $3,930 196,926 — 2,232 — $203,088 $5,106 1,871 — 4,465 — $11,442 $1,213 856 200,000 3,411 — $205,480 $498 1,099 — — — $1,597 Total $10,747 200,752 200,000 10,108 — $421,607 1Interest payments on long-term debt are based on the interest rate at June 28, 2015. 2 Other long-term liabilities as of June 28, 2015 included long-term tax contingencies and other tax liabilities of $11.6 million, deferred liabilities of $0.3 million and other long-term contingent liabilities (for example, warranties) of $9.2 million. These liabilities were not included in the table above as they will either not be settled in cash and/or the timing of any payments is uncertain. Operating lease obligations include rental amounts due on leases of certain office and manufacturing space under the terms of non-cancelable operating leases. These leases expire at various times through 2022. Most of the lease agreements provide for rental adjustments for increases in base rent, property taxes and general property maintenance that would be recognized as rent expense, if applicable. Purchase obligations represent purchase commitments, including open purchase orders and contracts, and are generally related to the purchase of goods and services in the ordinary course of business such as raw materials, supplies and capital equipment. Financial Condition The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents............................................................................... Short-term investments ................................................................................... Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments ........................ June 28, 2015 $139,710 573,481 $713,191 June 29, 2014 $286,824 875,642 $1,162,466 Change ($147,114) (302,161) ($449,275) Our liquidity and capital resources depend on our cash flows from operations and our working capital. The significant components of our working capital are liquid assets such as cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and inventories reduced by trade accounts payable. 38 The following table presents the components of our cash conversion cycle: Three Months Ended June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 Change Days of sales outstanding (a) .......................................................................... Days of supply in inventory (b) ...................................................................... Days in accounts payable (c) .......................................................................... Cash conversion cycle.............................................................................. 44 83 (48) 79 46 94 (66) 74 (2) (11) 18 5 a) b) c) Days of sales outstanding (DSO) measures the average collection period of our receivables. DSO is based on the ending net trade receivables and the revenue, net for the quarter then ended. DSO is calculated by dividing ending accounts receivable, net of applicable allowances and reserves, by the average net revenue per day for the respective 90 day period. Days of supply in inventory (DSI) measures the average number of days from procurement to sale of our product. DSI is based on ending inventory and cost of revenue, net for the quarter then ended. DSI is calculated by dividing ending inventory by average cost of revenue, net per day for the respective 90 day period. Days in accounts payable (DPO) measures the average number of days our payables remain outstanding before payment. DPO is based on ending accounts payable and cost of revenue, net for the quarter then ended. DPO is calculated by dividing ending accounts payable by the average cost of revenue, net per day for the respective 90 day period. The increase in the cash conversion cycle was primarily driven by a decrease in days in accounts payable, partially offset by a decrease in days of supply in inventory. As of June 28, 2015, we had unrealized losses on our investments of $0.5 million. All of our investments had investment grade ratings, and any such investments that were in an unrealized loss position at June 28, 2015 were in such position due to interest rate changes, sector credit rating changes or company-specific rating changes. As we intend and believe that we have the ability to hold such investments for a period of time that will be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value, we currently expect to receive the full principal or recover our cost basis in these securities. The declines in value of the securities in our portfolio are considered to be temporary in nature and, accordingly, we do not believe these securities are impaired as of June 28, 2015. Cash Flows In summary, our cash flows were as follows (in thousands): Cash provided by operating activities................ Cash used in investing activities ........................ Cash (used in) provided by financing activities. Effect of foreign exchange changes................... Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ......................................................... Fiscal Years Ended Year-Over-Year Change June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 $181,254 (16,137) (311,353) (878) $319,308 (242,265) 19,542 170 $285,234 (380,307) 105,952 305 2014 to 2015 ($138,054) 226,128 (330,895) (1,048) 2013 to 2014 $34,074 138,042 (86,410) (135) ($147,114) $96,755 $11,184 ($243,869) $85,571 39 The following is a discussion of our primary sources and uses of cash in our operating, investing and financing activities. Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $181.3 million in fiscal 2015 from $319.3 million in fiscal 2014, primarily due to a net loss in fiscal 2015 as compared to net income in fiscal 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $319.3 million in fiscal 2014 from $285.2 million in fiscal 2013, primarily due to an increase in net income. Cash Flows from Investing Activities Our investing activities primarily relate to transactions within our short-term investments, purchases of property and equipment and payments for patents and licensing rights. Net cash used in investing activities was $16.1 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $242.3 million in fiscal 2014. Net proceeds from the sale of short-term investments increased $333.4 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. This year over year increase was primarily due to an overall net decrease in short-term investment purchase activity and increase in proceeds from the sale of short-term investments. This net increase was partially offset by the $80.6 million investment in Lextar and a $26.9 million increase in capital spending to support our future growth. Net cash used in investing activities was $242.3 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $380.3 million in fiscal 2013. Our capital spending increased as we made investments in manufacturing capacity to support our future growth. This increase was more than offset by lower net purchases of short-term investments during fiscal 2014. We continue to actively manage our capital spending. For fiscal 2016, we target committing approximately $150 million of capital investment to support our growth and strategic priorities. Cash Flows from Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was $311.4 million in fiscal 2015 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $19.5 million in fiscal 2014. Our financing activities for fiscal 2015 primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $549.7 million, partially offset by net proceeds from long-term debt borrowings of $200 million on our line of credit and proceeds of $38.3 million from net issuances of common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options and purchases under our employee stock purchase plan, including the excess tax benefit on those exercises. In fiscal 2014, net cash provided by financing activities was $19.5 million compared to $106.0 million in fiscal 2013. Our financing activities in fiscal 2014 consisted primarily of proceeds of $119.2 million from net issuances of common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options and purchases under our employee stock purchase plan, including the excess tax benefit on those exercises, mostly offset by the repurchase of common stock of $99.7 million. Our financing activities in fiscal 2013 consisted primarily of $107.6 million from net issuances of common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options and purchases under our employees stock purchase plan, including the excess tax benefit on those exercises. On October 27, 2014, our Board of Directors approved an increase in the amount of our stock repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $550 million for all purchases from June 30, 2014 through the expiration of the program on June 28, 2015. On June 18, 2015, our Board of Directors approved another increase, authorizing us to repurchase shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $500 million for all purchases from June 29, 2015 through the expiration of the program on June 26, 2016. Since the inception of our stock repurchase program in 2001, we have repurchased 28.4 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $30.07 per share with an aggregate value of $855.1 million. The repurchase program can be implemented through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of our management. Fair Value Under U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches, including quoted market prices and discounted cash flows. U.S. GAAP also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are obtained from independent sources and can be validated by a third party, whereas unobservable inputs reflect assumptions regarding what a third party would use in pricing an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows: • Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that we are able to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment. • Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar instruments, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. 40 • Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The financial assets for which we perform recurring fair value remeasurements are cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of June 28, 2015, financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs included money market funds. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs included corporate bonds, municipal bonds, U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. certificates of deposit and non-U.S. government securities. Level 2 assets are valued using a third-party pricing service's consensus price which is a weighted average price based on multiple sources. These sources determine prices utilizing market income models which factor in, where applicable, transactions of similar assets in active markets, transactions of identical assets in infrequent markets, interest rates, bond or credit default swap spreads and volatility. We do not have any financial assets requiring the use of Level 3 inputs. Please refer to Note 5, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report for further information. Financial and Market Risks We are exposed to financial and market risks, including changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodities risk. We have entered and may in the future enter into foreign currency derivative financial instruments in an effort to manage or hedge some of our foreign exchange rate risk. We may not be able to engage in hedging transactions in the future, and even if we do, foreign currency fluctuations may still have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial performance. All of the potential changes noted below are based on sensitivity analyses performed on our financial positions at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014. Actual results may differ materially. Interest Rates We maintain an investment portfolio principally composed of money market funds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. certificates of deposit and non-U.S. government securities. In order to minimize risk, our cash management policy permits us to acquire investments rated “A” grade or better. As of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, our cash equivalents and short-term investments had a fair value of $590.1 million and $915.7 million, respectively. If interest rates were to hypothetically increase by 100 basis points, the fair value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments would decrease by $9.7 million at June 28, 2015 and $12.9 million at June 29, 2014. We do not believe that a 10% change in interest rates would have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As of June 28, 2015, we maintained a secured revolving line of credit under which we can borrow, repay and reborrow loans from time to time prior to its scheduled maturity date of January 9, 2020. At June 28, 2015, we had $200 million outstanding under the line of credit. If interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points, the annual interest incurred under our then existing line of credit would have increased by $2 million. Currency Exchange Rates Because we operate internationally and have transactions denominated in foreign currencies, including the Chinese Yuan and Euro, among others, we are exposed to currency exchange rate risks. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect our expenses and results of operations as well as the value of our assets and liabilities. Our primary exposures relate to the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and the Chinese Yuan. The potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar compared to the Chinese Yuan was approximately $2.4 million at June 28, 2015 and $3.8 million at June 29, 2014. Commodities We utilize significant amounts of precious metals, gases and other commodities in our manufacturing processes. General economic conditions, market specific changes or other factors outside of our control may affect the pricing of these commodities. We do not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We do not use off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities or related parties, nor do we use any other forms of off-balance sheet arrangements. Accordingly, our liquidity and capital resources are not subject to off-balance sheet risks from unconsolidated entities. As of June 28, 2015, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4) (ii) of SEC Regulation S-K. We have entered into operating leases primarily for certain of our U.S. and international facilities in the normal course of business. Future minimum lease payments under our operating leases as of June 28, 2015 are detailed above in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the section entitled “Contractual Obligations.” 41 Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In the application of U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Changes in the accounting estimates from period to period are reasonably likely to occur. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by management. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation of our financial condition or results of operations may be affected. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition, product warranty obligations, valuation of inventories, tax related contingencies, valuation of stock-based compensation, valuation of long-lived and intangible assets, other contingencies and litigation, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions, including expected trends that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. We believe that the following are our most critical accounting policies and estimates, each of which is critical to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and requires our most difficult, subjective and complex judgments. Our management has reviewed our critical accounting policies and the related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Revenue Recognition We recognize product revenue when the earnings process is complete, as evidenced by persuasive evidence of an arrangement (typically in the form of a purchase order), when the sales price is fixed or determinable, collection of revenue is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. We provide our customers with limited rights of return for non-conforming shipments and product warranty claims. We estimate an allowance for anticipated sales returns based upon an analysis of historical sales returns and other relevant data. We recognize an allowance for non-conforming returns at the time of sale as a reduction of product revenue and as a reduction to the related accounts receivable balance. We recognize a liability for product warranty claims at the time of sale as an increase to cost of revenue. For the year ended June 28, 2015, 60% of our revenue was from sales to distributors. Distributors stock inventory and sell our products to their own customer base, which may include: value added resellers; manufacturers who incorporate our products into their own manufactured goods; or ultimate end users of our products. We recognize revenue upon shipment of our products to our distributors. This arrangement is often referred to as a “sell-in” or “point-of-purchase” model as opposed to a “sell-through” or “point-of-sale” model, where revenue is deferred and not recognized until the distributor sells the product through to their customer. Our distributors may be provided limited rights that allow them to return a portion of inventory (product exchange rights or stock rotation rights) and receive credits for changes in selling prices (price protection rights) or customer pricing arrangements under our “ship and debit” program or other targeted sales incentives. When determining our net revenue, we make significant judgments and estimates corresponding with product shipments. We recognize a reserve for estimated future returns, changes in selling prices, and other targeted sales incentives when product ships. We also recognize an asset for the estimated value of product returns that we believe will be returned to inventory in the future and resold, and these estimates are based upon historical data, current economic trends, distributor inventory levels and other related factors. Our financial condition and operating results are dependent upon our ability to make reliable estimates. Actual results may vary and could have a significant impact on our operating results. From time to time, we will issue a new price book for our products, and provide a credit to certain distributors for inventory quantities on hand if required by our agreement with the distributor. This practice is known as price protection. These credits are applied against the reserve that we establish upon initial shipment of product to the distributor. Under the ship and debit program, products are sold to distributors at negotiated prices and the distributors are required to pay for the products purchased within our standard commercial terms. Subsequent to the initial product purchase, a distributor may request a price allowance for a particular part number(s) for certain target customers, prior to the distributor reselling the particular part to that customer. If we approve an allowance and the distributor resells the product to the target customer, we credit the distributor according to the allowance we approved. These credits are applied against a reserve we establish upon initial shipment of product to the distributor. In addition, we run sales incentive programs with certain distributors and retailers, such as product rebates and cooperative advertising campaigns. We recognize these incentives at the time they are offered to customers and record a credit to their account 42 with an offsetting expense as either a reduction to revenue, increase to cost of revenue, or marketing expense depending on the type of sales incentive. Warranties Product warranties are estimated and recognized at the time we recognize revenue. The warranty periods range from 90 days to 10 years. We estimate these warranty liabilities at the time of sale, based on historical and projected incident rates and expected future warranty costs. We estimate costs related to product recalls based on a formal campaign soliciting repair or return of that product when they are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. We evaluate our warranty reserves on a quarterly basis based on various factors including historical warranty claims, assumptions about the frequency of warranty claims, and assumptions about the frequency of product failures derived from quality testing, field monitoring and our reliability estimates. Actual product failure rates that materially differ from our estimates could have a significant impact on our operating results. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or an average cost method; and with market not to exceed net realizable value. We write-down our inventories for estimated obsolescence equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated market value based upon an aging analysis of the inventory on hand, specifically known inventory-related risks (such as technological obsolescence), and assumptions about future demand. We also analyze sales levels by product type, including historical and estimated future customer demand for those products to determine if any additional reserves are appropriate. For example, we adjust for items that are considered obsolete based upon changes in customer demand, manufacturing process changes or new product introductions that may eliminate demand for the product. Any adjustment to our inventories as a result of an estimated obsolescence or net realizable condition is reflected as a component of our cost of revenue. At the point of the loss recognition, a new, lower-cost basis for that inventory is established, and any subsequent improvements in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established lower-cost basis. In order to determine what costs can be included in the valuation of inventories, we determine normal capacity for our manufacturing facilities based on historical patterns. If our estimates regarding customer demand are inaccurate, or market conditions or technology change in ways that are less favorable than those projected by management, we may be required to take excess capacity charges in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results. Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowances In assessing the adequacy of a recognized valuation allowance, we consider all positive and negative evidence and a variety of factors including historical and projected future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. When we establish or increase a valuation allowance, our income tax expense increases in the period such determination is made. If we decrease a valuation allowance, our income tax expense decreases in the period such a determination is made. Tax Contingencies We are subject to periodic audits of our income tax returns by federal, state, local and foreign agencies. These audits typically include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (ASC 740), we regularly evaluate the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. ASC 740 states that a tax benefit should not be recognized for financial statement purposes for an uncertain tax filing position where it is not more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50%) for being sustained by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, we have established unrecognized tax benefits (as a reduction to the deferred tax asset or as an increase to other liabilities) to reduce some or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that the positions become uncertain based upon one of the following: the tax position is not “more likely than not” to be sustained; the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, but for a lesser amount; or the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, but not in the financial period in which the tax position was originally taken. For purposes of evaluating whether or not a tax position is uncertain, we presume the tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information; the technical merits of a tax position are derived from authorities such as legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position; and each tax position is evaluated without consideration of the possibility of offset or aggregation with other tax positions taken. 43 We adjust these unrecognized tax benefits, including any impact on the related interest and penalties, in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter for which we have established an unrecognized tax benefit is audited and fully resolved. To the extent we prevail in matters for which we have established an unrecognized benefit or are required to pay amounts in excess of what we have recognized, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement might require use of our cash and/or result in an increase in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution. A favorable tax settlement would be recognized as a reduction in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Stock-Based Compensation We account for awards of stock-based compensation under our employee stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method. Accordingly, we estimate the grant date fair value of our stock-based awards and amortize this fair value to compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term. We currently use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of our stock option and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) awards. The determination of the fair value of stock- based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our then current stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Due to the inherent limitations of option-valuation models, future events that are unpredictable and the estimation process utilized in determining the valuation of the stock-based awards, the ultimate value realized by award holders may vary significantly from the amounts expensed in our financial statements. For restricted stock and stock unit awards, grant date fair value is based upon the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. This fair value is then amortized to compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term. We estimate expected forfeitures at the time of grant and revise this estimate, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Our determination of an estimated forfeiture rate is primarily based upon a review of historical experience but may also include consideration of other facts and circumstances we believe are indicative of future activity. The assessment of an estimated forfeiture rate will not alter the total compensation expense to be recognized, only the timing of this recognition as compensation expense is adjusted to reflect instruments that actually vest. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments used in estimating key assumptions, we may be required to adjust compensation expense, which could be material to our results of operations. Long-Lived Assets We evaluate long-lived assets such as property, equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, such as patents, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets recognized in our financial statements may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider include whether there has been a significant decrease in the market value of an asset, a significant change in the way an asset is being used, or a significant change, delay or departure in our strategy for that asset. Our assessment of the recoverability of long-lived assets involves significant judgment and estimation. These assessments reflect our assumptions, which, we believe, are consistent with the assumptions hypothetical marketplace participants use. Factors that we must estimate when performing recoverability and impairment tests include, among others, the economic life of the asset, sales volumes, prices, cost of capital, tax rates, and capital spending. These factors are often interdependent and therefore do not change in isolation. If impairment is indicated, we first determine if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amounts of the asset or assets. If so, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. After an impairment loss is recognized, a new, lower cost basis for that long-lived asset is established. Subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss. Our impairment loss calculations require that we apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, including estimating useful lives of the assets. To make these judgments, we may use internal discounted cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when available and independent appraisals as appropriate to determine fair value. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be required to recognize additional impairment losses which could be material to our results of operations. 44 Goodwill We test goodwill for impairment at least annually as of the first day of the fiscal fourth quarter, or when indications of potential impairment exist. We monitor for the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. We conduct impairment testing for goodwill at the reporting unit level. Reporting units, as defined by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” (ASC 350), may be operating segments as a whole or an operation one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. We have determined that our reporting units are our three operating and reportable segments. We may initiate goodwill impairment testing by considering qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value. Such factors may include the following, among others: a significant decline in the reporting unit’s expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates; as well as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, and customers. If our qualitative assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, we perform the two-step impairment test. Alternatively, we may bypass the qualitative test and initiate goodwill impairment testing with the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. During the first step of the goodwill impairment test, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We derive a reporting unit’s fair value through a combination of the market approach (a guideline transaction method) and the income approach (a discounted cash flow analysis). The income approach utilizes a discount rate from the capital asset pricing model. If all reporting units are analyzed during the first step of the goodwill impairment test, their respective fair values are reconciled back to our consolidated market capitalization. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then we conclude that no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure possible goodwill impairment loss. During the second step, we hypothetically value the reporting unit’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Then, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying value of its goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Once an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying value of the goodwill becomes the new accounting basis of the goodwill for the reporting unit. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets We test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually in the fiscal fourth quarter, or when indications of potential impairment exist. We monitor for the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. Our impairment test may begin with a qualitative test to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset’s carrying value is greater than its fair value. In performing this test, we may consider the following qualitative factors, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; changes in industry and market conditions such as the deterioration in the environment in which the Company operates or an increased competitive environment; changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers; as well as other economic factors. If our qualitative assessment indicates that asset impairment is more likely than not, we perform a quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. Alternatively, we may bypass the qualitative test and initiate impairment testing with the quantitative impairment test. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets entails significant estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, determining the timing and expected costs to complete development projects, estimating future cash flows from product revenue, developing appropriate discount rates, estimating probability rates for the successful completion of development projects, continuation of customer relationships and renewal of customer contracts, and approximating the useful lives of the intangible assets acquired. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, we conclude that no impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value. Once an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying value becomes the new accounting basis of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. Contingent Liabilities We provide for contingent liabilities in accordance with U.S. GAAP, under which a loss contingency is charged to income when (1) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements, and (2) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. 45 Periodically, we review the status of each significant matter to assess the potential financial exposure. If a potential loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we reflect the estimated loss in our results of operations. Significant judgment is required to determine the probability that a liability has been incurred or an asset impaired and whether such loss is reasonably estimable. Because of uncertainties related to these matters, accruals are based on the best information available at the time. Further, estimates of this nature are highly subjective, and the final outcome of these matters could vary significantly from the amounts that may have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In determining the probability of an unfavorable outcome of a particular contingent liability and whether such liability is reasonably estimable, we consider the individual facts and circumstances related to the liability, opinions of legal counsel and recent legal rulings by the appropriate regulatory bodies, among other factors. As additional information becomes available, we reassess the potential liability related to our pending and threatened claims and litigation and may revise our estimates accordingly. Such revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position. See also a discussion of specific contingencies in Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Recent Accounting Pronouncements See Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our consolidated financial statements. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk See the section entitled “Financial and Market Risks” included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this Annual Report. 46 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index to Consolidated Financial Statements Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms ........................................................................................... Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 ............................................................................... Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013 .......... Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013............................................................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013............... Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...................................................................................................................... Page 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 47 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To Board of Directors and Shareholders of Cree, Inc. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statement of (loss) income, comprehensive (loss) income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cree, Inc. and its subsidiaries at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 28, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 28, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, appearing under Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Raleigh, North Carolina August 27, 2015 48 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Cree, Inc. We have audited the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows of Cree, Inc. for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of Cree Inc.’s operations and its cash flows for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Raleigh, North Carolina August 27, 2013 /s/ Ernst & Young LLP 49 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................................... Short-term investments................................................................................................ Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments..................................... Accounts receivable, net.............................................................................................. Inventories ................................................................................................................... Deferred income taxes................................................................................................. Prepaid expenses ......................................................................................................... Other current assets ..................................................................................................... Assets held for sale...................................................................................................... Total current assets............................................................................................... Property and equipment, net ............................................................................................... Goodwill ............................................................................................................................. Intangible assets, net........................................................................................................... Other long-term investments .............................................................................................. Other assets......................................................................................................................... Total assets.................................................................................................. LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable, trade............................................................................................... Accrued salaries and wages......................................................................................... Income taxes payable .................................................................................................. Other current liabilities................................................................................................ Total current liabilities.......................................................................................... Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt ............................................................................................................ Deferred income taxes................................................................................................. Other long-term liabilities ........................................................................................... Total long-term liabilities..................................................................................... Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) Shareholders’ equity: June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 (In thousands, except par value) $139,710 573,481 713,191 186,157 280,576 39,190 29,932 54,851 4,353 1,308,250 635,072 616,345 317,154 57,595 19,984 $286,824 875,642 1,162,466 225,160 284,780 29,414 22,795 49,276 — 1,773,891 605,713 616,345 336,423 — 11,997 $2,954,400 $3,344,369 $163,128 $202,294 45,415 2,035 44,208 254,786 200,000 12,174 21,084 233,258 50,527 14,848 38,986 306,655 — 12,173 35,395 47,568 Preferred stock, par value $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014; none issued and outstanding ............................................................... Common stock, par value $0.00125; 200,000 shares authorized at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014; 105,507 and 120,114 shares issued and outstanding at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively.......................................................................... Additional paid-in-capital............................................................................................ Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes ............................................ Retained earnings ........................................................................................................ Total shareholders’ equity .................................................................................... Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity.................................................... — — 131 2,285,554 5,798 174,873 2,466,356 $2,954,400 149 2,190,011 11,405 788,581 2,990,146 $3,344,369 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 50 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 (In thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2013 Revenue, net........................................................................................ Cost of revenue, net ............................................................................ Gross profit ......................................................................................... Operating expenses: Research and development .......................................................... Sales, general and administrative................................................. Amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles... Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ................... Total operating expenses....................................................... Operating (loss) income ...................................................................... Non-operating (loss) income, net........................................................ (Loss) income before income taxes .................................................... Income tax (benefit) expense .............................................................. Net (loss) income.................................................................. (Loss) earnings per share: Basic............................................................................................. Diluted.......................................................................................... Weighted average shares used in per share calculation: Basic............................................................................................. Diluted.......................................................................................... $1,632,505 1,157,549 474,956 $1,647,641 1,028,846 618,795 $1,385,982 862,722 523,260 182,797 290,730 26,220 47,722 547,469 (72,513) (10,389) (82,902) (18,851) ($64,051) ($0.57) ($0.57) 113,022 113,022 181,382 268,460 31,988 2,690 484,520 134,275 13,295 147,570 23,379 $124,191 $1.03 $1.01 120,623 122,914 155,889 236,581 30,823 3,473 426,766 96,494 11,063 107,557 20,632 $86,925 $0.75 $0.74 116,621 117,979 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 51 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME Net (loss) income ................................................................................. Other comprehensive (loss) income: Currency translation (loss) gain, net of tax benefit of $0, $0 and $36, respectively........................................................................................... Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit (expense) of $1,284, ($1,946) and $1,724, respectively .......... Other comprehensive (loss) income ..................................................... Comprehensive (loss) income .............................................................. June 28, 2015 ($64,051) Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 (In thousands) $124,191 June 30, 2013 $86,925 (3,563) 57 (53) (2,044) (5,607) ($69,658) 3,104 3,161 $127,352 (2,836) (2,889) $84,036 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 52 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income............................................................................................... Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ................................................................... Stock-based compensation ......................................................................... Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements..................... Impairment of acquisition-related intangibles............................................ Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ................................. Amortization of premium/discount on investments ................................... Loss on equity method investment............................................................. Foreign exchange loss on equity method investment................................. Deferred income taxes................................................................................ Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition: Accounts receivable, net ............................................................................ Inventories .................................................................................................. Prepaid expenses and other assets .............................................................. Accounts payable, trade ............................................................................. Accrued salaries and wages and other liabilities........................................ Net cash provided by operating activities......................................... Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment ........................................................ Purchases of short-term investments.......................................................... Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments.................................. Proceeds from sale of property and equipment .......................................... Proceeds from sale of short-term investments ........................................... Purchases of patent and licensing rights .................................................... Purchase of other long-term investments ................................................... Net cash used in investing activities................................................. Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings................................................. Payments on long-term debt borrowings ................................................... Net proceeds from issuance of common stock........................................... Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements..................... Repurchases of common stock ................................................................... Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities.......................... Effects of foreign exchange changes on cash and cash equivalents......................... Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents............................................... Cash and cash equivalents: June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 (In thousands) June 30, 2013 ($64,051) $124,191 $86,925 172,286 64,299 (1,395) 254 47,722 6,152 22,624 347 (20,950) 37,853 3,528 (11,112) (44,796) (31,507) 181,254 (206,160) (349,802) 419,802 285 219,795 (19,491) (80,566) (16,137) 695,000 (495,000) 36,929 1,395 (549,677) (311,353) (878) (147,114) 162,971 61,686 (19,235) 3,200 2,690 10,158 — — 2,709 (32,651) (87,012) 7,926 66,297 16,378 319,308 (178,557) (625,820) 493,288 117 88,890 (20,183) — (242,265) — — 100,006 19,235 (99,699) 19,542 170 96,755 153,301 53,899 (11,390) — 3,473 9,503 — — 245 (40,430) (8,406) (25,595) 41,800 21,909 285,234 (77,468) (724,467) 392,878 301 49,307 (20,858) — (380,307) — — 96,229 11,390 (1,667) 105,952 305 11,184 Beginning of period .......................................................................... End of period .................................................................................... 286,824 $139,710 190,069 $286,824 178,885 $190,069 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest.................................................................................. Cash paid for income taxes ........................................................................ $1,002 $28,834 $— $10,292 $— $24,747 Significant non-cash transactions: Accrued property and equipment ............................................................... $24,243 $15,700 $3,945 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 53 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common Stock Number of Shares Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings (In thousands) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total Shareholders’ Equity 115,906 $144 $1,861,502 $687,238 $11,133 $2,560,017 Balance at June 24, 2012..................... Net income ..................................... Currency translation loss, net of tax benefit of $36 ........................... Unrealized loss on available-for- sale securities, net of tax benefit of $1,724............................................. Comprehensive income.................. Income tax benefit from stock option exercises.............................. Repurchased shares........................ Stock-based compensation............. Exercise of stock options and issuance of shares........................... Balance at June 30, 2013..................... Net income ..................................... Currency translation gain, net of tax benefit of $0 ............................. Unrealized gain on available-for- sale securities, net of tax expense of $1,946 ........................................ Comprehensive income.................. Income tax benefit from stock option exercises.............................. Repurchased shares........................ Stock-based compensation............. Exercise of stock options and issuance of shares........................... Balance at June 29, 2014..................... Net loss........................................... Currency translation loss, net of tax benefit of $0 ............................. Unrealized loss on available-for- sale securities, net of tax benefit of $1,284............................................. Comprehensive loss ....................... Income tax expense from stock option exercises.............................. Repurchased shares........................ Stock-based compensation............. Exercise of stock options and issuance of shares........................... Balance at June 28, 2015..................... — (53) (2,836) — — — — $8,244 — 57 3,104 — — 86,925 (53) (2,836) 84,036 4,028 (1,667) 55,074 105,164 $2,806,652 124,191 57 3,104 127,352 8,198 (108,109) 62,415 — — — — (41) — — — — — — — — — — 86,925 — — 4,028 — 55,074 — (1,667) — 3,758 119,623 4 $148 105,160 $2,025,764 — $772,496 124,191 — — 8,198 — — (108,106) — 62,415 — — — — — — — — — — (2,259) — — — — — (3) — — — — — (20) — — — — — (16,034) — 1,427 105,507 2,750 120,114 4 $149 93,634 $2,190,011 — $788,581 (64,051) — $11,405 — 93,638 $2,990,146 (64,051) — — (3,563) (3,563) (2,044) — — (2,044) (69,658) (1,010) (549,677) 64,720 (1,010) — — (549,657) — 64,720 2 $131 31,833 $2,285,554 — $174,873 — $5,798 31,835 $2,466,356 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 54 CREE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 – Business Cree, Inc. (the Company) is a leading innovator of lighting-class light emitting diode (LED) products, lighting products and semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications. The Company’s products are targeted for applications such as indoor and outdoor lighting, video displays, transportation, electronic signs and signals, power supplies, inverters and wireless systems. The Company’s lighting products primarily consist of LED lighting systems and bulbs. The Company designs, manufactures and sells lighting fixtures and lamps for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. The Company’s LED products consist of LED components, LED chips, and silicon carbide (SiC) materials. The Company’s success in selling LED products depends upon its ability to offer innovative products and to enable its customers to develop and market LED-based products that successfully compete against other LED-based products and drive LED adoption against traditional lighting products. In addition, the Company develops, manufactures and sells power and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). The Company's power products are made from SiC and provide increased efficiency, faster switching speeds and reduced system size and weight over comparable silicon-based power devices. The Company's RF devices are made from GaN and provide improved efficiency, bandwidth and frequency of operation as compared to silicon or gallium arsenide (GaAs). The majority of the Company’s products are manufactured at its production facilities located in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and China. The Company also uses contract manufacturers for certain aspects of product fabrication, assembly and packaging. The Company operates research and development facilities in North Carolina, California, Wisconsin, India and China (including Hong Kong). Cree, Inc. is a North Carolina corporation established in 1987 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The Company's three reportable segments are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Power and RF Products For financial results by reportable segment, please refer to Note 13, “Reportable Segments.” Note 2 – Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year is a 52 or 53-week period ending on the last Sunday in the month of June. The Company’s 2015 and 2014 fiscal years were 52-week fiscal years and the 2013 fiscal year was a 53-week fiscal year. The Company’s 2016 fiscal year will be a 52-week fiscal year. Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity. 55 Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition, product warranty obligations, valuation of inventories, tax related contingencies, valuation of stock-based compensation, valuation of long-lived and intangible assets, other contingencies and litigation, among others. The Company generally bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Segment Information U.S. GAAP requires segmentation based on an entity’s internal organization and reporting of revenue and operating income based upon internal accounting methods commonly referred to as the “management approach.” Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (CODM), or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer. The Company has determined that it currently has three operating and reportable segments. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of unrestricted cash accounts and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents at several major financial institutions, which often exceed insurance limits set by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Company has not historically experienced any losses due to such concentration of credit risk. Investments Investments in certain securities may be classified into three categories: • Held-to-Maturity – Debt securities that the entity has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, which are reported at amortized cost. • Trading – Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term, which are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. • Available-for-Sale – Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading securities, which are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The Company reassesses the appropriateness of the classification (i.e. held-to-maturity, trading or available-for-sale) of its investments at the end of each reporting period. When the fair value of an investment declines below its original cost, the Company considers all available evidence to evaluate whether the decline is other-than-temporary. Among other things, the Company considers the duration and extent of the decline and economic factors influencing the capital markets. For the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014, and June 30, 2013, the Company had no other-than-temporary declines below the cost basis of its investments. The Company utilizes specific identification in computing realized gains and losses on the sale of investments. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are reported in other income and expense. Investments in marketable securities with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. Other long-term investments consist of the Company's approximately 13% common stock ownership interest in Lextar Electronics Corporation (Lextar), which the Company acquired in December 2014. This investment is accounted for under the equity method utilizing the fair value option. The Company has determined that for its fiscal year ended June 28, 2015, Lextar has met the conditions of a significant subsidiary under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X for which the Company is required, pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, to file separate financial statements as an exhibit to its Annual Report on Form 10-K. As such, separate 56 financial statements for Lextar, prepared by Lextar and audited by its independent public accounting firm, are filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Annual Report. Inventories Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or an average cost method; and with market not to exceed net realizable value. The Company writes down its inventory balances for estimates of excess and obsolete amounts. These write-downs are recognized as a component of cost of revenue. At the point of the write- down, a new lower-cost basis for that inventory is established, and any subsequent improvements in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established lower-cost basis. The Company recognized charges for write- downs in inventories of $15.2 million, $5.2 million and $12.5 million, for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the asset life or the life of the related lease. In general, the Company’s policy for useful lives is as follows: Machinery and equipment .................... Buildings and building improvements . Furniture and fixtures ........................... Aircraft and vehicles ............................ Leasehold improvements...................... 3 to 15 years 5 to 40 years 3 to 5 years 5 to 20 years Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The costs for major renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts upon disposition and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating income. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs are included in Cost of revenue, net in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and are recognized as a period expense during the period in which they are incurred. Goodwill and Intangible Assets The Company recognizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition, with any excess purchase price recognized as goodwill. Valuation of intangible assets entails significant estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, estimating future cash flows from product revenue, developing appropriate discount rates, continuation of customer relationships and renewal of customer contracts, and approximating the useful lives of the intangible assets acquired. Goodwill The Company recognizes goodwill as an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually as of the first day of the fiscal fourth quarter, or when indications of potential impairment exist. The Company monitors for the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. The Company conducts impairment testing for goodwill at the reporting unit level. Reporting units may be operating segments as a whole or an operation one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The Company has determined that its reporting units are its three operating and reportable segments. The Company may initiate goodwill impairment testing by considering qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value. Such factors may include the following, among others: a significant decline in the reporting unit’s expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; 57 and slower growth rates; as well as changes in management, key personnel, strategy and customers. If the Company’s qualitative assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, the Company performs the two-step goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, the Company may bypass the qualitative test and initiate goodwill impairment testing with the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. During the first step of the goodwill impairment test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company derives a reporting unit’s fair value through a combination of the market approach (a guideline transaction method) and the income approach (a discounted cash flow analysis). The income approach utilizes a discount rate from the capital asset pricing model. If all reporting units are analyzed during the first step of the goodwill impairment test, their respective fair values are reconciled back to the Company’s consolidated market capitalization. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then the Company concludes that no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure possible goodwill impairment loss. During the second step, the Company hypothetically values the reporting unit’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Then, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying value of its goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Once an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying value of the goodwill becomes the new accounting basis of the goodwill for the reporting unit. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually in the fiscal fourth quarter or when indications of potential impairment exist. The Company monitors for the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. The Company’s impairment test may begin with a qualitative test to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite- lived intangible asset’s carrying value is greater than its fair value. In performing this test, the Company may consider the following qualitative factors, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; changes in industry and market conditions such as the deterioration in the environment in which the Company operates or an increased competitive environment; changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers; as well as other economic factors. If the Company’s qualitative assessment indicates that asset impairment is more likely than not, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. Alternatively, the Company may bypass the qualitative test and initiate impairment testing with the quantitative impairment test. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets entails significant estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, determining the timing and expected costs to complete development projects, estimating future cash flows from product revenue, developing appropriate discount rates, estimating probability rates for the successful completion of development projects, continuation of customer relationships and renewal of customer contracts, and approximating the useful lives of the intangible assets acquired. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, then the Company concludes that no impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value. Once an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying value becomes the new accounting basis of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. Finite-Lived Intangible Assets U.S. GAAP requires that intangible assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, must be amortized over their useful lives. The Company is currently amortizing its acquired intangible assets with finite lives over periods ranging from one to 20 years. Patent rights reflect costs incurred by the Company in applying for and maintaining patents owned by the Company and costs incurred in purchasing patents and related rights from third parties. Licensing rights reflect costs incurred by the Company in acquiring licenses under patents owned by others. The Company amortizes both on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the associated patent rights, which is generally the lesser of 20 years from the date of the patent application or the license period. Royalties payable under licenses for patents owned by others are generally expensed as incurred. The Company reviews its capitalized patent portfolio and recognizes impairment charges when circumstances warrant, such as when patents have been abandoned or are no longer being pursued. 58 Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews long-lived assets such as property and equipment for impairment based on changes in circumstances that indicate their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In making these determinations, the Company uses certain assumptions, including but not limited to: (1) estimations of the fair market value of the assets and (2) estimations of future cash flows expected to be generated by these assets, which are based on additional assumptions such as asset utilization, length of service the asset will be used in the Company’s operations and estimated salvage values. Contingent Liabilities The Company recognizes contingent liabilities when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure in the notes to the financial statements is required for loss contingencies that do not meet both these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred. See Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for a discussion of loss contingencies in connection with pending and threatened litigation. The Company expenses as incurred the costs of defending legal claims against the Company. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes product revenue when the earnings process is complete, as evidenced by persuasive evidence of an arrangement (typically in the form of a purchase order), when the sales price is fixed or determinable, collection of revenue is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. The Company provides its customers with limited rights of return for non-conforming shipments and product warranty claims. The Company estimates an allowance for anticipated sales returns based upon an analysis of historical sales returns and other relevant data. The Company recognizes an allowance for non-conforming returns at the time of sale as a reduction of product revenue and as a reduction to the related accounts receivable balance. The Company recognizes a liability for product warranty claims at the time of sale as an increase to cost of revenue. A substantial portion of the Company’s products are sold through distributors. Distributors stock inventory and sell the Company’s products to their own customer base, which may include: value added resellers; manufacturers who incorporate the Company’s products into their own manufactured goods; or ultimate end users of the Company’s products. The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of its products to its distributors. This arrangement is often referred to as a “sell-in” or “point-of-purchase” model as opposed to a “sell-through” or “point-of-sale” model, where revenue is deferred and not recognized until the distributor sells the product through to their customer. Certain of the Company’s distributors are provided limited rights that allow them to return a portion of inventory (product exchange rights or stock rotation rights) and receive credits for changes in selling prices (price protection rights) or customer pricing arrangements under the Company’s “ship and debit” program or other targeted sales incentives. These estimates are calculated based upon historical experience, product shipment analysis, current economic conditions, on-hand inventory at the distributor, and customer contractual arrangements. The Company believes that it can reasonably and reliably estimate the allowance for distributor credits at the time of sale. Accordingly, estimates for these rights are recognized at the time of sale as a reduction of product revenue and as a reduction to the related accounts receivable balance. From time to time, the Company will issue a new price book for its products, and provide a credit to certain distributors for inventory quantities on hand if required by the Company’s agreement with the distributor. This practice is known as price protection. These credits are applied against the reserve that the Company establishes upon initial shipment of product to the distributor. Under the ship and debit program, products are sold to distributors at negotiated prices and the distributors are required to pay for the products purchased within the Company’s standard commercial terms. Subsequent to the initial product purchase, a distributor may request a price allowance for a particular part number(s) for certain target customers, prior to the distributor reselling the particular part to that customer. If the Company approves an allowance and the distributor resells the product to the target customer, the Company credits the distributor according to the allowance the Company approved. These credits are applied against the reserve that the Company establishes upon initial shipment of product to the distributor. In addition, the Company runs sales incentive programs with certain distributors and retailers, such as product rebates and cooperative advertising campaigns. The Company recognizes these incentives at the time they are offered to customers and records a credit to their account with an offsetting expense as either a reduction to revenue, increase to cost of revenue, or marketing expense depending on the type of sales incentive. From time to time, the Company may enter into licensing arrangements related to its intellectual property. Revenue from licensing arrangements is recognized when earned and estimable. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent on the terms of each 59 license agreement. Generally, the Company will recognize non-refundable upfront licensing fees related to patent licenses immediately upon receipt of the funds if the Company has no significant future obligations to perform under the arrangement. However, the Company will defer recognition for licensing fees where the Company has significant future performance requirements, the fee is not fixed (such as royalties earned as a percentage of future revenue), or the fees are otherwise contingent. Accounts Receivable For product revenue, the Company typically invoices its customers at the time of shipment for the sales order value of products shipped. Accounts receivable are recognized at the invoiced amount and are not subject to any interest or finance charges. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to any of its customers. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In cases where the Company becomes aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations subsequent to the original sale, the Company will recognize an allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due and consideration of other factors such as industry conditions, the current business environment and the Company’s historical experience. Advertising The Company expenses the costs of producing advertisements at the time production occurs and expenses the cost of communicating the advertising in the period in which the advertising is used. Advertising costs are included in Sales, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and amounted to approximately $25.6 million, $26.6 million, and $18.2 million for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Research and Development Research and development activities are expensed when incurred. (Loss) Earnings Per Share Basic (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share is determined in the same manner as basic (loss) earnings per share except that the number of shares is increased to assume exercise of potentially dilutive stock options, nonvested restricted stock and contingently issuable shares using the treasury stock method, unless the effect of such increases would be anti-dilutive. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recognized in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to repurchase shares. Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted based on the fair value of the shares on the date of grant. Compensation expense is then recognized over the award’s vesting period. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts and interest receivable, accounts payable and other liabilities approximate their fair values at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 due to the short-term nature of these instruments. 60 Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, along with net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards, if it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized. To the extent a deferred tax asset cannot be recognized under the preceding criteria, allowances are established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Taxes payable which are not based on income are accrued ratably over the period to which they apply. For example, payroll taxes are accrued each period end based upon the amount of payroll taxes that are owed as of that date; whereas taxes such as property taxes and franchise taxes are accrued over the fiscal year to which they apply if paid at the end of a period, or they are amortized ratably over the fiscal year if they are paid in advance. Sales Taxes The Company presents sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis (i.e. excluded from revenue and expenses). Foreign Currency Translation Foreign currency translation adjustments are recognized in Other comprehensive (loss) income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for changes between the foreign subsidiaries’ functional currency and the United States (U.S.) dollar. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included in the Company’s equity account balance of Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until such time that the subsidiaries are either sold or substantially liquidated. Because the Company and its subsidiaries transact business in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, the Company will continue to experience varying amounts of foreign currency exchange gains and losses for subsidiaries with U.S. dollar functional currency. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The ASU establishes a principles-based approach for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance. The ASU provides that an entity should apply a five-step approach for recognizing revenue, including (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Also, the entity must provide various disclosures concerning the nature, amount and timing of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The effective date will be the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, using one of two retrospective application methods. The Company is currently analyzing the impact of this new accounting guidance. 61 Note 3 – Financial Statement Details Accounts Receivable, net The following table summarizes the components of accounts receivable, net (in thousands): Billed trade receivables............................................................................................................... Unbilled contract receivables ..................................................................................................... Allowance for sales returns, discounts and other incentives ...................................................... Allowance for bad debts ............................................................................................................. Accounts receivable, net...................................................................................................... June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 $246,969 2,223 249,192 (58,094) (4,941) $186,157 $255,374 1,557 256,931 (29,010) (2,761) $225,160 The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s allowance for sales returns, discounts and other incentives (in thousands): June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Balance at beginning of period ....................................................................... Current period claims ................................................................................. Provision for sales returns, discounts and other incentives........................ Balance at end of period ........................................................................ $29,010 (148,715) 177,799 $58,094 $26,500 (115,568) 118,078 $29,010 $20,681 (84,983) 90,802 $26,500 The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s allowance for bad debts (in thousands): Balance at beginning of period ....................................................................... Current period provision ............................................................................ Write-offs, net of recoveries....................................................................... Balance at end of period ........................................................................ $2,761 2,184 (4) $4,941 $2,471 903 (613) $2,761 $1,782 801 (112) $2,471 June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Inventories The following table summarizes the components of inventories (in thousands): Raw material............................................................................................................................... Work-in-progress........................................................................................................................ Finished goods ............................................................................................................................ Inventories ........................................................................................................................... $86,331 93,424 100,821 $280,576 $95,594 92,889 96,297 $284,780 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 62 Property and Equipment, net The following table summarizes the components of property and equipment, net (in thousands): Furniture and fixtures ................................................................................................................. Land and buildings ..................................................................................................................... Machinery and equipment .......................................................................................................... Aircraft and vehicles................................................................................................................... Computer hardware/software...................................................................................................... Leasehold improvements and other ............................................................................................ Construction in progress ............................................................................................................. Accumulated depreciation .......................................................................................................... Property and equipment, net................................................................................................ June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 $12,525 367,519 1,060,599 10,489 38,366 6,698 178,757 1,674,953 (1,039,881) $635,072 $12,822 355,044 1,046,878 16,292 35,446 18,890 85,068 1,570,440 (964,727) $605,713 Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $136.3 million, $125.3 million and $115.5 million for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. During the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, the Company recognized approximately $44.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, as losses on disposals or impairments of property and equipment. These charges are reflected in Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Other Current Liabilities The following table summarizes the components of other current liabilities (in thousands): Accrued taxes......................................................................................................... Accrued professional fees ...................................................................................... Accrued warranty................................................................................................... Accrued other......................................................................................................... Other current liabilities........................................................................................ $13,935 10,180 13,006 7,087 $44,208 $19,835 5,373 5,842 7,936 $38,986 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes (in thousands): Currency translation gain....................................................................................... Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities .............................................. Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes .................................... $4,986 812 $5,798 $8,549 2,856 $11,405 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 63 Non-Operating (Loss) Income, net The following table summarizes the components of non-operating (loss) income, net (in thousands): June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Gain on sale of investments, net ..................................................................... Loss on equity method investment.................................................................. Dividends from equity method investment ..................................................... Interest income, net ......................................................................................... Foreign currency (loss) gain, net..................................................................... Other, net......................................................................................................... Non-operating (loss) income, net.................................................................... $925 (22,624) 2,581 9,086 (929) 572 ($10,389) $68 — — 11,932 45 1,250 $13,295 $111 — — 7,882 735 2,335 $11,063 Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands): Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Component Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes.............................. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 28, 2015 June 30, 2013 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income $925 925 210 $715 $68 68 11 $57 $107 Non-operating (loss) income, net 107 21 $86 Net (loss) income (Loss) income before income taxes Income tax (benefit) expense Note 4 – Investments Investments consist of municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. certificates of deposit and non-U.S. government securities. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale. Other long-term investments consist of the Company's ownership interest in Lextar. The following table summarizes short-term investments (in thousands): Municipal bonds .................................................................. Corporate bonds................................................................... U.S. agency securities.......................................................... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit .......................................... Non-U.S. government securities.......................................... Total short-term investments........................................ June 28, 2015 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Amortized Cost $194,123 152,831 — 225,206 — $988 832 — — — $572,160 $1,820 64 Estimated Fair Value $194,770 153,505 — 225,206 — $573,481 ($341) (158) — — — ($499) The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of the Company’s short-term investments, aggregated by investment type and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands, except numbers of securities): Less than 12 Months Fair Value Unrealized Loss June 28, 2015 Greater than 12 Months Unrealized Loss Fair Value Municipal bonds................................... Corporate bonds ................................... Total............................................... Number of securities with an unrealized loss ...................................... $53,204 46,636 $99,840 $— 1,812 $1,812 ($341) (143) ($484) 54 $— (15) ($15) 1 The following table summarizes short-term investments (in thousands): Total Fair Value $53,204 48,448 $101,652 Unrealized Loss ($341) (158) ($499) 55 Municipal bonds .................................................................. Corporate bonds................................................................... U.S. agency securities.......................................................... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit .......................................... Non-U.S. government securities.......................................... Total short-term investments........................................ June 29, 2014 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses $2,323 2,283 141 — 28 $4,775 ($12) (114) — — — ($126) Estimated Fair Value $294,180 202,346 19,135 352,928 7,053 $875,642 Amortized Cost $291,869 200,177 18,994 352,928 7,025 $870,993 The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of the Company’s short-term investments, aggregated by investment type and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands, except numbers of securities): Less than 12 Months Fair Value Unrealized Loss June 29, 2014 Greater than 12 Months Unrealized Loss Fair Value Total Fair Value Unrealized Loss Municipal bonds................................... Corporate bonds ................................... Total............................................... Number of securities with an unrealized loss ...................................... $7,906 15,696 $23,602 $1,520 13,049 $14,569 ($8) (31) ($39) 13 $9,426 28,745 $38,171 ($4) (83) ($87) 7 ($12) (114) ($126) 20 The Company utilizes specific identification in computing realized gains and losses on the sale of investments. Realized gains from the sale of investments for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015 of $925 thousand were included in Non-operating (loss) income, net in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and unrealized gains and losses are included as a separate component of equity, net of tax, unless the loss is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company evaluates its investments for possible impairment or a decline in fair value below cost basis that is deemed to be other-than-temporary on a periodic basis. It considers such factors as the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been below the cost basis, the financial condition of the investee, and its ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time that may be sufficient for an anticipated full recovery in market value. Accordingly, the Company considered declines in its investments to be temporary in nature, and did not consider its investments to be impaired as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014. 65 The contractual maturities of short-term investments at June 28, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): Within One Year After One, Within Five Years After Five, Within Ten Years After Ten Years Municipal bonds....................................... Corporate bonds ....................................... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit............... $12,575 28,422 225,206 $147,470 94,582 — $34,725 30,501 — Total short-term investments ............ $266,203 $242,052 $65,226 $— — — $— Total $194,770 153,505 225,206 $573,481 Note 5 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments Under U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including quoted market prices and discounted cash flows. U.S. GAAP also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are obtained from independent sources and can be validated by a third party, whereas unobservable inputs reflect assumptions regarding what a third party would use in pricing an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows: • • Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company is able to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment. Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar instruments, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. • Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The financial assets for which the Company performs recurring fair value remeasurements are cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of June 28, 2015, financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs included money market funds, and financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs included municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. certificates of deposit, non- U.S. government securities and common stock of non-U.S. corporations. Level 2 assets are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar or using a third-party pricing service’s consensus price, which is a weighted average price based on multiple sources. These sources determine prices utilizing market income models which factor in, where applicable, transactions of similar assets in active markets, transactions of identical assets in infrequent markets, interest rates, bond or credit default swap spreads and volatility. The Company did not have any financial assets requiring the use of Level 3 inputs as of June 28, 2015. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended June 28, 2015. 66 The following table sets forth financial instruments carried at fair value within the U.S. GAAP hierarchy (in thousands): June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Cash equivalents Municipal bonds............. $ Non-U.S. certificates of deposit ............................ Money market funds ...... Total cash equivalents .............. Short-term investments Municipal bonds............. Corporate bonds ............. U.S. agency securities .... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit ............................ Non-U.S. government securities ........................ Total short-term investments ............. Other long-term investments Common stock of non- U.S. corporations ........... Total other long- term investments..... Total assets .... — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — — 16,457 16,457 157 — 157 — — — 157 16,457 — 40,031 16,614 40,031 — 194,770 — 153,505 — — — 194,770 — 153,505 — — — 225,206 — 225,206 — — — — — 573,481 — 573,481 — 57,595 — 57,595 — — — — — — — — — — 294,180 202,346 19,135 — — — — 40,031 40,031 — 294,180 — 202,346 19,135 — 352,928 — 352,928 7,053 — 7,053 875,642 — 875,642 — — — — $16,457 57,595 $631,233 — 57,595 $— $647,690 — $40,031 — $875,642 — — $— $915,673 Note 6 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill The Company’s reporting units for goodwill impairment testing are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Power and RF Products As of the first day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment on each reporting unit. The Company determined that the fair value of each reporting unit was more likely than not greater than its carrying value, and therefore a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment was not required. Goodwill by reporting unit as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 was as follows (in thousands): LED Products Lighting Products Power and RF Products Consolidated Total $245,857 $337,781 $32,707 $616,345 67 Intangible Assets The following table presents the components of intangible assets, net (in thousands): Intangible assets with finite lives: Customer relationships ................. Developed technology.................. Non-compete agreements ............. Trade names, finite-lived.............. Patent and licensing rights............ Total intangible assets with finite lives................................... Trade names, indefinite-lived ......... Total intangible assets................ June 28, 2015 Accumulated Amortization ($72,063) (91,562) (7,958) (520) (50,905) (223,008) Gross $136,920 162,760 10,244 520 150,038 460,482 79,680 June 29, 2014 Accumulated Amortization ($66,970) (72,921) (5,997) (516) (42,424) (188,828) Net Gross $64,857 71,198 2,286 — 99,133 237,474 79,680 $137,440 162,760 10,244 520 134,607 445,571 79,680 Net $70,470 89,839 4,247 4 92,183 256,743 79,680 $540,162 ($223,008) $317,154 $525,251 ($188,828) $336,423 Total amortization of finite-lived intangible assets was $36.0 million, $37.7 million and $37.8 million for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. As of the first day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company performed a qualitative impairment assessment on each of the Company’s indefinite-lived trade names. The Company determined that the fair value of each indefinite-lived trade name was more likely than not greater than its carrying value and therefore a quantitative impairment assessment was not required. The Company invested $19.5 million, $20.2 million and $20.9 million for the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, for patent and licensing rights. For the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, the Company recognized $3.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in impairment charges related to its patent portfolio. Total future amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ending June 26, 2016.......................................................................................................................................................... June 25, 2017.......................................................................................................................................................... June 24, 2018.......................................................................................................................................................... June 30, 2019.......................................................................................................................................................... June 28, 2020.......................................................................................................................................................... Thereafter ............................................................................................................................................................... Total future amortization expense.......................................................................................................................... $35,331 33,297 32,085 19,533 15,578 101,650 $237,474 Note 7 – Long-term Debt On January 9, 2015, the Company entered into a new credit agreement (New Credit Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Wells Fargo Bank) and other lenders party thereto for a $500 million secured revolving line of credit under which the Company can borrow, repay and reborrow loans from time to time prior to its scheduled maturity date of January 9, 2020. Proceeds of the initial loans made under the New Credit Agreement were used to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's previous $150 million unsecured credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, entered into on August 12, 2014. The Company classifies balances outstanding under its line of credit as Long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At June 28, 2015, the Company had $200 million outstanding under the New Credit Agreement and $300 million available for borrowing. For the year ended June 28, 2015, the average interest rate under these credit agreements was 0.95%. The average commitment fee percentage for these credit agreements was 0.09% for the year ended June 28, 2015. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the New Credit Agreement at June 28, 2015. 68 Note 8 – Shareholders’ Equity On October 27, 2014, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the amount of the Company’s stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $550 million for all purchases from June 30, 2014 through the expiration of the program on June 28, 2015. On June 18, 2015, the Board of Directors approved another increase, authorizing the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $500 million for all purchases from June 29, 2015 through the new expiration of the program on June 26, 2016. During fiscal 2015, the Company repurchased 16.0 million shares of its common stock under the program at an average price of $34.33 per share with an aggregate value of $550 million. The repurchase program can be implemented through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of the Company’s management. The Company will continue to determine the time and extent of any repurchases based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. From the inception of the predecessor stock repurchase program in January 2001 through June 28, 2015, the Company has repurchased 28.4 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $30.07 per share with an aggregate value of $855.1 million. On May 29, 2002, the Board adopted a shareholder rights plan, pursuant to which stock purchase rights were distributed to shareholders at a rate of one right with respect to each share of common stock held of record as of June 10, 2002. Subsequently issued shares of common stock also carry stock purchase rights under the plan. The rights plan is designed to enhance the Board’s ability to prevent an acquirer from depriving shareholders of the long-term value of their investment and to protect shareholders against attempts to acquire the Company by means of unfair or abusive takeover tactics. Unless terminated by the Board, the rights become exercisable based upon certain limited conditions related to acquisitions of stock, tender offers and certain business combinations involving the Company. The shareholder rights plan includes a review mechanism requiring the independent members of the Board to review and evaluate the plan at least every three years to consider whether the maintenance of the plan continues to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and to communicate their conclusion to the Board. The Board has delegated this responsibility to the Governance and Nominations Committee, which is composed of all independent directors of the Board. On April 24, 2012, the shareholder rights plan was amended and restated to, among other things, extend the expiration date from June 10, 2012 to September 30, 2018, and to remove provisions in the rights plan stipulating that certain actions can be taken only with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board who are not affiliated with an acquiring person (more specifically, those who are “Continuing Directors,” as defined in the original rights plan adopted in 2002). On January 29, 2013, the shareholder rights plan was amended solely to change the expiration date from September 30, 2018 to April 24, 2017. On February 11, 2015, the shareholder rights plan was further amended to revise the definition of “Acquiring Person” to provide that the level of beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock at which a person becomes an “Acquiring Person” and therefore triggers the consequences under the shareholder rights plan of becoming an Acquiring Person is increased for certain passive investors (defined therein as “13G Investors”) from 15% to 18% of the Company’s outstanding common stock (with no change to the triggering ownership threshold for other investors). At June 28, 2015, the Company had reserved a total of approximately 19.4 million shares of its common stock and 0.2 million shares of its Series A preferred stock for future issuance as follows (in thousands): For exercise of outstanding common stock options ................................................................................................ For vesting of outstanding stock units..................................................................................................................... For future equity awards under 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan ................................................... For future issuance under the Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation and Deferral Program..................... For future issuance to employees under the 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ................................................ Total common shares reserved ......................................................................................................................... Series A preferred stock reserved for exercise of rights issued under shareholder rights plan............................... Number of Shares 10,714 774 6,233 100 1,607 19,428 200 69 Note 9 – (Loss) Earnings Per Share The following presents the computation of basic (loss) earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Basic: Net (loss) income ..................................................................................... Weighted average common shares........................................................... Basic (loss) earnings per share .............................................................. ($64,051) 113,022 ($0.57) $124,191 120,623 $1.03 $86,925 116,621 $0.75 The following computation reconciles the differences between the basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share presentations (in thousands, except per share amounts): June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Diluted: Net (loss) income ..................................................................................... Weighted average common shares - basic ............................................... Dilutive effect of stock options, nonvested shares and Employee Stock Purchase Plan purchase rights.................................................................. Weighted average common shares - diluted ............................................ Diluted (loss) earnings per share.............................................................. ($64,051) 113,022 $124,191 120,623 — 113,022 ($0.57) 2,291 122,914 $1.01 $86,925 116,621 1,358 117,979 $0.74 Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted (loss) earnings per share are considered to be anti-dilutive and as such, these shares are not included in calculating diluted (loss) earnings per share. For the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, there were 7.0 million, 2.6 million and 2.4 million, respectively, of potential common shares not included in the calculation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because their effect was anti-dilutive. Note 10 – Stock-Based Compensation Overview of Employee Stock-Based Compensation Plans The Company currently has one equity-based compensation plan, the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (2013 LTIP), from which stock-based compensation awards can be granted to employees and directors. At June 28, 2015, there were 9.9 million shares authorized for issuance under the plan and 6.2 million shares remaining for future grants. The 2013 LTIP provides for awards in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other awards. The Company has other equity-based compensation plans that have been terminated so that no future grants can be made under those plans, but under which stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units are currently outstanding. The Company’s stock-based awards can be either service-based or performance-based. Performance-based conditions are generally tied to future financial and/or operating performance of the Company. The compensation expense with respect to performance- based grants is recognized if the Company believes it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The Company reassesses the probability of the achievement of the performance condition at each reporting period, and adjusts the compensation expense for subsequent changes in the estimate or actual outcome. As with non-performance based awards, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period. The vesting period runs from the date of grant to the expected date that the performance objective is likely to be achieved. The Company also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) that provides employees with the opportunity to purchase common stock at a discount. At June 28, 2015, there were 4.5 million shares authorized for issuance under the ESPP, as amended, with 1.6 million shares remaining for future issuance. The ESPP limits employee contributions to 15% of each employee’s compensation (as defined in the plan) and allows employees to purchase shares at a 15% discount to the fair market value of common stock on the purchase date two times per year. The ESPP provides for a twelve-month participation period, divided into two equal six-month purchase periods, and also provides for a look-back feature. At the end of each six-month period in April 70 and October, participants purchase the Company’s common stock through the ESPP at a 15% discount to the fair market value of the common stock on the first day of the twelve-month participation period or the purchase date, whichever is lower. The plan also provides for an automatic reset feature to start participants on a new twelve-month participation period if the fair market value of common stock declines during the first six-month purchase period. Stock Option Awards The following table summarizes option activity as of June 28, 2015 and changes during the fiscal year then ended (total and shares in thousands): Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Total Intrinsic Value Outstanding at June 29, 2014.......................... Granted ........................................................... Exercised......................................................... Forfeited or expired ........................................ Outstanding at June 28, 2015.......................... Vested and expected to vest at June 28, 2015. Exercisable at June 28, 2015 .......................... 8,922 3,446 (740) (914) 10,714 10,495 5,085 $41.85 44.47 28.52 47.79 $43.10 $43.05 $40.79 4.46 4.43 3.22 $1,058 $1,058 $1,019 The total intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, which is the total difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock on June 26, 2015 (the last trading day of fiscal 2015) of $27.00 and the exercise price for in-the-money options that would have been received by the holders if all instruments had been exercised on June 28, 2015. As of June 28, 2015, there was $54.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.61 years. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 28, 2015 (shares in thousands): Range of Exercise Price $0.01 to $30.92...................................... $30.93 to $43.94.................................... $43.95 to $45.13.................................... $45.14 to $54.26.................................... $54.27 to $75.55.................................... Total ............................................... Number 3,246 803 2,756 286 3,623 10,714 Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price Number 3.65 3.03 6.13 4.60 4.21 4.46 $28.52 35.84 45.13 48.68 55.80 $43.10 2,420 551 3 131 1,980 5,085 $28.76 35.86 45.13 48.82 56.31 $40.79 Other information pertaining to the Company’s stock option awards is as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Weighted average grant date fair value per share of options .......................... Total intrinsic value of options exercised........................................................ $15.27 $9,418 $19.31 $67,044 $12.05 $62,145 June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 71 Restricted Stock Awards and Units A summary of nonvested restricted stock awards (RSAs) and restricted stock unit awards (RSUs) outstanding as of June 28, 2015 and changes during the year then ended is as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Number of RSAs/RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Nonvested at June 29, 2014 ....................................................................................... Granted....................................................................................................................... Vested......................................................................................................................... Forfeited..................................................................................................................... Nonvested at June 28, 2015 ....................................................................................... 860 481 (351) (64) 926 $46.81 43.97 46.28 47.77 $45.47 As of June 28, 2015, there was $24.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2 years. Stock-Based Compensation Valuation and Expense The Company accounts for its employee stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method. The fair value method requires the Company to estimate the grant-date fair value of its stock-based awards and amortize this fair value to compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the Company’s stock option and ESPP awards. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Due to the inherent limitations of option-valuation models, future events that are unpredictable and the estimation process utilized in determining the valuation of the stock-based awards, the ultimate value realized by award holders may vary significantly from the amounts expensed in the Company’s financial statements. For RSAs and RSUs, the grant-date fair value is based upon the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. This fair value is then amortized to compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures such that expense is recognized only for those stock- based awards that are expected to vest. A forfeiture rate is estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. 72 Total stock-based compensation expense was as follows (in thousands): Income Statement Classification: Cost of revenue, net ........................................................................................ Research and development.............................................................................. Sales, general and administrative.................................................................... Total stock-based compensation expense..................................................... June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 $12,838 16,521 34,940 $64,299 $11,353 15,392 34,941 $61,686 $9,389 13,429 31,081 $53,899 The weighted average assumptions used to value stock option grants were as follows: Stock Option Grants: Risk-free interest rate..................................................................................... Expected life, in years.................................................................................... Expected volatility ......................................................................................... Dividend yield................................................................................................ June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 1.17% 3.54 45.2% — 1.16% 3.80 44.5% — 0.42% 3.64 56.8% — The following describes each of these assumptions and the Company’s methodology for determining each assumption: Risk-Free Interest Rate The Company estimates the risk-free interest rate using the U.S. Treasury bill rate with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the award. Expected Life The expected life represents the period that the stock option awards are expected to be outstanding. In determining the appropriate expected life of its stock options, the Company segregates its grantees into categories based upon employee levels that are expected to be indicative of similar option-related behavior. The expected useful lives for each of these categories are then estimated giving consideration to (1) the weighted average vesting periods, (2) the contractual lives of the stock options, (3) the relationship between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Company’s common stock, (4) expected employee turnover, (5) the expected future volatility of the Company’s common stock, and (6) past and expected exercise behavior, among other factors. Expected Volatility The Company estimates expected volatility giving consideration to the expected life of the respective award, the Company’s current expected growth rate, implied volatility in traded options for its common stock, and the historical volatility of its common stock. Expected Dividend Yield The Company estimates the expected dividend yield by giving consideration to its current dividend policies as well as those anticipated in the future considering the Company’s current plans and projections. Note 11 – Income Taxes The following were the components of (loss) income before income taxes (in thousands): Domestic ......................................................................................................... Foreign ............................................................................................................ Total (loss) income before income taxes ................................................. 73 June 28, 2015 ($40,603) (42,299) ($82,902) Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 $58,859 88,711 $147,570 June 30, 2013 $31,046 76,511 $107,557 The following were the components of income tax (benefit) expense (in thousands): Current: Federal...................................................................................................... Foreign ..................................................................................................... State.......................................................................................................... Total current...................................................................................... Deferred: Federal...................................................................................................... Foreign ..................................................................................................... State.......................................................................................................... Total deferred.................................................................................... Income tax (benefit) expense .................................................. June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 ($12,470) 13,327 1,242 2,099 (7,100) (12,696) (1,154) (20,950) ($18,851) $3,423 15,371 1,876 20,670 229 3,003 (523) 2,709 $23,379 $483 18,127 1,777 20,387 2,226 (177) (1,804) 245 $20,632 Actual income tax (benefit) expense differed from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal tax rate of 35% to pre-tax earnings as a result of the following (in thousands, except percentages): Federal income tax provision at statutory rate . (Decrease) increase in income tax expense resulting from: State tax provision, net of federal benefit . State tax credits ......................................... Tax exempt interest ................................... 48C investment tax credit ......................... (Decrease) increase in tax reserve............. Change in tax depreciation methodology.. Research and development credits ............ Decrease in valuation allowance............... Qualified production activities deduction . Stock-based compensation ........................ Statutory rate differences .......................... Foreign earnings taxed in U.S................... Other.......................................................... Income tax (benefit) expense ............. June 28, 2015 % of Loss Fiscal Years Ended % of June 29, Income 2014 June 30, 2013 % of Income ($29,016) 35% $51,645 35% $37,645 35% 2,550 (1,004) (11,310) 15,411 (18,475) (1,574) 2% (1)% (815) —% (8)% 10% (12)% (1)% (20) —% (1)% 1% (10)% —% 1% 16% (2,362) 2,024 (14,285) — 1,594 $23,379 — (2,426) 1,146 (1,407) (853) (5,252) 1% (1)% (1)% (5)% (361) —% —% (2)% (6) —% (1)% 1% (10)% —% 2% 19% (866) 1,206 (10,184) — 1,990 $20,632 (797) (585) (2,413) (6,826) 1% 1% 3% 8% (225) —% —% 3% — (2,081) — (520) 2,988 18,732 2,697 (805) ($18,851) —% 1% (4)% (23)% (3)% 1% 23% 74 The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows (in thousands): Deferred tax assets: Compensation ...................................................................................................................... Inventories ........................................................................................................................... Sales return reserve and allowance for bad debts................................................................ Warranty reserve.................................................................................................................. Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards ............................................................. Federal credits ..................................................................................................................... State credits ......................................................................................................................... 48C investment tax credits .................................................................................................. Investments.......................................................................................................................... Stock-based compensation .................................................................................................. Deferred revenue ................................................................................................................. Other .................................................................................................................................... Total gross deferred assets ................................................................................................ Less valuation allowance .................................................................................................. Deferred tax assets, net ................................................................................................... Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment....................................................................................................... Intangible assets................................................................................................................... Investments.......................................................................................................................... Prepaid taxes and other........................................................................................................ Foreign earnings recapture .................................................................................................. Total gross deferred liability ............................................................................................. Deferred tax asset, net..................................................................................................... June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 $1,864 23,172 8,266 5,042 7,237 3,688 2,573 14,980 953 40,291 4,850 2,034 114,950 (1,485) 113,465 (13,337) (59,840) (505) (1,350) (2,524) (77,556) $35,909 $4,843 18,672 4,801 1,416 704 4,971 3,016 22,731 958 31,102 5,719 876 99,809 (1,571) 98,238 (25,660) (52,462) (1,792) (1,083) — (80,997) $17,241 The components giving rise to the net deferred tax assets (liabilities) have been included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands): U.S. federal income taxes.................................................... Foreign income taxes........................................................... Total net deferred tax assets/(liabilities).............................. U.S. federal income taxes.................................................... Foreign income taxes........................................................... Total net deferred tax assets/(liabilities).............................. Balance at June 28, 2015 Assets Liabilities Current $23,231 15,959 $39,190 Noncurrent $52 8,841 $8,893 * Current Noncurrent $— — $— ($10,878) (1,296) ($12,174) Balance at June 29, 2014 Assets Current $17,324 12,090 $29,414 Noncurrent $— — $— Liabilities Current Noncurrent $— — $— ($10,948) (1,225) ($12,173) * This amount is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The research and development credit, which had previously expired on December 31, 2013, was reinstated as part of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, enacted on December 19, 2014. This legislation retroactively reinstated and extended the 75 credit from the previous expiration date through December 31, 2014. The benefit of this credit for fiscal 2015 as well as the period December 31, 2013 through June 29, 2014 has been included in the fiscal year 2015 tax benefit representing a $1.1 million and $1.0 million benefit, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company was notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it had been allocated $30 million of federal tax credits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Phase II (Internal Revenue Code Section 48C). This $30 million allocation is in addition to the $39 million previously allocated to the Company in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. As of June 28, 2015, the Company has successfully achieved the required milestones to realize the full $69 million tax benefit. The tax benefit (net of related basis adjustments) will be amortized into income over the useful life (5 years) of the underlying equipment that was placed into service to generate these credits. Since fiscal 2010, the Company has recognized an income tax benefit of $32.9 million related to the credits generated to date, with $6.8 million of this amount recognized as a tax benefit for the year ended June 28, 2015. At June 28, 2015, the Company had approximately $24 million of foreign net operating loss carryovers which have no carry forward limitation. As of June 28, 2015, the Company had approximately $15.1 million of state net operating loss carryovers for which a full valuation allowance has been recognized. Additionally, the Company had $4.2 million of state income tax credit carryforwards. The state net operating loss carryovers and income tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017, respectively. Furthermore, the Company had approximately $0.8 million of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, $6.5 million of 48C credit carryforwards, $2.3 million of research and development credit carryforwards and $1.6 million of state income tax credit carryforwards that relate to excess stock option benefits which, if and when realized, will be recognized in Additional paid-in-capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. U.S. GAAP requires a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is cumulatively more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. As of June 29, 2014 the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $18.4 million. The Company recognized a $0.4 million decrease to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits due to a decrease in the effective tax rate related to an uncertainty regarding a change in tax depreciation methodology adopted in fiscal 2014. In addition there was a $0.2 million decrease to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a statute expiration. As a result, the total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 28, 2015 was $17.8 million. If any portion of this $17.8 million is recognized, the Company will then include that portion in the computation of its effective tax rate. Although the ultimate timing of the resolution and/or closure of audits is highly uncertain, the Company believes it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.2 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months as a result of pending audit settlements or statute requirements. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the Company’s change in uncertain tax positions (in thousands): Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Balance at beginning of period ...................................................................................... Increases related to prior year tax positions ........................................................... Decreases related to prior year tax positions .......................................................... Expiration of statute of limitations for assessment of taxes ................................... Balance at end of period .................................................................................. $18,389 — (407) (187) $17,795 $2,732 18,040 (741) (1,642) $18,389 $4,421 546 — (2,235) $2,732 76 The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the Income tax (benefit) expense line item in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Total interest and penalties accrued were as follows (in thousands): Accrued interest and penalties Total interest and penalties recognized were as follows (in thousands): June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 $10 $104 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Recognized interest and penalties (benefit) ................................................................... ($94) ($51) ($130) The Company files U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax returns. For U.S. federal purposes, the Company is generally no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2012. For U.S. state tax returns, the Company is generally no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2011. For foreign purposes, the Company is generally no longer subject to examination for tax periods 2005 and prior. Certain carryforward tax attributes generated in prior years remain subject to examination and adjustment. The Company provides for U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries’ earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. As of June 28, 2015, U.S. income taxes were not provided for on a cumulative total of approximately $291.5 million of undistributed earnings for certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, as the Company currently intends to reinvest these earnings in these foreign operations indefinitely. If, at a later date, these earnings were repatriated to the U.S., the Company would be required to pay taxes on these amounts. Determination of the amount of any deferred tax liability on these undistributed earnings is not practicable. During the fiscal year ended June 26, 2011, the Company was awarded a tax holiday in Malaysia with respect to its manufacturing and distribution operations. This arrangement allows for 0% tax for 10 years starting in the fiscal year ended June 26, 2011. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013, June 29, 2014 and June 28, 2015, the Company did not meet the requirements for the tax holiday, and as such, no benefit has been recognized. Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies Warranties The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s product warranty liabilities (in thousands): June 28, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 Balance at beginning of period ....................................................................... Warranties accrued in current period....................................................... Recall costs accrued in current period ..................................................... Changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties .................................... Expenditures ............................................................................................ Balance at end of period.................................................................................. $6,822 9,242 5,418 — (7,514) $13,968 $6,171 4,256 — 907 (4,512) $6,822 $5,513 1,533 — 71 (946) $6,171 Product warranties are estimated and recognized at the time the Company recognizes revenue. The warranty periods range from 90 days to 10 years. The Company accrues warranty liabilities at the time of sale, based on historical and projected incident rates and expected future warranty costs. The Company accrues estimated costs related to product recalls based on a formal campaign soliciting repair or return of that product when they are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. The warranty reserves, which are primarily related to Lighting Products, are evaluated on a quarterly basis based on various factors including historical warranty claims, assumptions about the frequency of warranty claims, and assumptions about the frequency of product failures derived from quality testing, field monitoring and the Company’s reliability estimates. As of June 28, 2015, $1.0 million of the Company’s product warranty liabilities were classified as long-term. 77 In June 2015, the Company issued a voluntary recall of its linear LED T8 replacement lamps due to the hazard of overheating and melting. The Company expects the majority of the costs of the recall to be recoverable from insurance proceeds resulting in an immaterial impact to the Company's financial results. Lease Commitments The Company primarily leases manufacturing, office, housing and warehousing space under the terms of non-cancelable operating leases. These leases expire at various times through 2022. The Company recognizes net rent expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Rent expense associated with these operating leases totaled approximately $8.2 million, $5.8 million and $4.8 million for each of the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Certain agreements require that the Company pay property taxes and general property maintenance in addition to the minimum rental payments. Future minimum rental payments as of June 28, 2015 (under leases currently in effect) are as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Years Ending June 26, 2016 .............................................................................................................................................. June 25, 2017 .............................................................................................................................................. June 24, 2018 .............................................................................................................................................. June 30, 2019 .............................................................................................................................................. June 28, 2020 .............................................................................................................................................. Thereafter.................................................................................................................................................... Total future minimum rental payments ............................................................................................... Minimum Rental Amount $3,930 3,253 1,853 777 436 498 $10,747 Litigation The Company is currently a party to various legal proceedings. While management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of such proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm the Company’s financial position, cash flows, or overall trends in results of operations, legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages or, in matters for which injunctive relief or other conduct remedies may be sought, an injunction prohibiting the Company from selling one or more products at all or in particular ways. Were unfavorable final outcomes to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operation, financial position and overall trends. The outcomes in these matters are not reasonably estimable. Note 13 - Reportable Segments The Company’s operating and reportable segments are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Power and RF Products The Company’s CODM reviews segment performance and allocates resources based upon segment revenue and segment gross profit. Reportable Segments Description Lighting Products Segment The Company’s Lighting Products segment primarily consists of LED lighting systems and bulbs. The Company designs, manufactures and sells lighting systems for indoor and outdoor applications, with its primary focus on LED lighting systems for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Lighting products are sold to distributors, retailers and direct to customers. The Company's portfolio of lighting products is designed for use in settings such as office and retail space, restaurants and hospitality, schools and universities, manufacturing, healthcare, airports, municipal, residential, street lighting and parking structures, among other applications. 78 LED Products Segment The Company’s LED Products segment includes LED chips, LED components, and SiC materials. LED Chips LED chip products include blue and green LED chips based on GaN and related materials. LED chips or die are solid-state electronic components used in a number of applications and are currently available in a variety of brightness levels, wavelengths (color) and sizes. The Company uses LED chips internally in the manufacturing of its LED components. Customers use the blue and green LED chips in a variety of applications including video screens, gaming displays, function indicator lights, and automotive backlights, headlamps and directional indicators. Customers may also combine blue LED chips with phosphors to create white LEDs, which are used in various applications for indoor and outdoor illumination and backlighting, full-color display screens, liquid crystal displays (LCD) backlighting, white keypads and the camera flash function. LED Components LED component products include a range of packaged LED products from the Company’s XLamp® LED components and LED modules for lighting applications to the Company’s high-brightness LED components. The Company’s XLamp LED components and LED modules are lighting class packaged LED products designed to meet a broad range of market needs for lighting applications including general illumination (both indoor and outdoor applications), portable, architectural, signal and transportation lighting. The Company uses XLamp LED components in its own lighting products. The Company also sells XLamp LED components externally to customers and distributors for use in a variety of products, primarily for lighting applications. The Company’s high-brightness LED components consist of surface mount (SMD) and through-hole packaged LED products. The SMD LED component products are available in a full range of colors designed to meet a broad range of market needs, including video, signage, general illumination, transportation, gaming and specialty lighting markets. The Company's through-hole packaged LED component products are available in a full range of colors, primarily designed for the signage market, and provide users with color and brightness consistency across a wide viewing area. SiC Materials The Company’s SiC materials are targeted for customers who use them to manufacture products for RF, power switching, gemstones and other applications. Corporate, government and university customers also buy SiC materials for research and development directed at RF and high power devices. The Company sells its SiC materials in bulk form, as a bare wafer or with SiC and GaN epitaxial films. Power and RF Products Segment The Company’s Power and RF Products segment includes power devices and RF devices. Power Devices The Company’s SiC-based power products include Schottky diodes, SiC metal semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), and SiC power modules at various voltages. The Company's power products provide increased efficiency, faster switching speeds and reduced system size and weight over comparable silicon-based power devices. Power products are sold primarily to customers and distributors for use in power supplies used in computer servers, solar inverters, uninterruptible power supplies, industrial power supplies and other applications. RF Devices The Company’s RF devices include a variety of GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), which are optimized for military, telecom and other commercial applications. The Company's RF devices are made from SiC and GaN and provide improved efficiency, bandwidths and frequency of operation as compared to silicon or GaAs. The Company also provides custom die manufacturing for GaN HEMTs and MMICs that allow a customer to design its own custom RF circuits to be fabricated by the Company, or have the Company design and fabricate products that meet the customer's specific requirements. 79 Financial Results by Reportable Segment The table below reflects the results of the Company’s reportable segments as reviewed by the Company’s CODM for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013. The Company used the same accounting policies to derive the segment results reported below as those used in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s CODM does not review inter-segment transactions when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources to each segment, and inter-segment transactions are not included in the segment revenue presented in the table below. As such, total segment revenue in the table below is equal to the Company’s consolidated revenue. The Company’s CODM reviews gross profit as the lowest and only level of segment profit. As such, all items below gross profit in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income must be included to reconcile the consolidated gross profit presented in the table below to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes. In order to determine gross profit for each reportable segment, the Company allocates direct costs and indirect costs to each segment’s cost of revenue. The Company allocates indirect costs, such as employee benefits for manufacturing employees, shared facilities services, information technology, purchasing, and customer service, when the costs are identifiable and beneficial to the reportable segment. The Company allocates these indirect costs based on a reasonable measure of utilization that considers the specific facts and circumstances of the costs being allocated. Unallocated costs in the table below consisted primarily of manufacturing employees’ stock-based compensation, expenses for profit sharing and quarterly or annual incentive plans and matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) plan. These costs were not allocated to the reportable segments' gross profit because the Company’s CODM does not review them regularly when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources. Revenue, gross profit and gross margin for each of the Company's segments were as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Revenue Year Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Gross Profit and Gross Margin Year Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 June 28, 2015 Lighting Products.................................... $ 906,502 $ 706,425 $ 495,089 $ 235,542 $ 197,304 $ 148,947 Lighting Products gross margin........... LED Products.......................................... LED Products gross margin................. Power and RF Products .......................... Power and RF Products gross margin. Total segment reporting........................ $1,632,505 123,921 602,082 Unallocated costs .................................... Consolidated gross profit ................... Consolidated gross margin ................ Assets by Reportable Segment 26% 28% 30% 833,684 801,483 190,912 381,003 344,649 32% 46% 43% 107,532 89,410 67,764 60,723 48,127 $1,647,641 $1,385,982 55% 56% 54% 494,218 (19,262) $474,956 639,030 (20,235) $618,795 541,723 (18,463) $523,260 29% 38% 38% Inventories are the only assets reviewed by the Company’s CODM when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources to each segment. The CODM reviews all of the Company's assets other than inventories on a consolidated basis. The following table sets forth the Company’s inventories by reportable segment for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014. Unallocated inventories in the table below were not allocated to the reportable segments because the Company’s CODM does not review them when evaluating performance and allocating resources to each segment. Unallocated inventories consisted primarily of manufacturing employees’ stock-based compensation, profit sharing and quarterly or annual incentive compensation and matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) plan. 80 Inventories for each of the Company's segments were as follows (in thousands): Lighting Products........................................................................................................ $ LED Products.............................................................................................................. Power and RF Products .............................................................................................. Total segment inventories......................................................................................... Unallocated inventories .............................................................................................. Consolidated inventories........................................................................................ $ 150,755 114,203 11,536 276,494 4,082 $280,576 148,757 123,249 8,019 280,025 4,755 $284,780 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 Geographic Information The Company conducts business in several geographic areas. Revenue is attributed to a particular geographic region based on the shipping address for the products. The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue from external customers by geographic area: June 28, 2015 For the Years Ended June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 United States ............................................................................................. China ......................................................................................................... Europe ....................................................................................................... South Korea............................................................................................... Japan.......................................................................................................... Malaysia .................................................................................................... Taiwan....................................................................................................... Other.......................................................................................................... Total percentage of revenue............................................................... 57% 21% 9% 1% 4% 1% 1% 6% 100% 49% 27% 9% 2% 6% 1% 1% 5% 100% 44% 28% 12% 2% 7% 1% 2% 4% 100% The following table sets forth the Company’s tangible long-lived assets by country (in thousands): United States............................................................................................................................... China........................................................................................................................................... Other ........................................................................................................................................... Total tangible long-lived assets ........................................................................................... $502,579 131,140 1,353 $635,072 $449,359 154,881 1,473 $605,713 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 Note 14 – Concentrations of Risk Financial instruments, which may subject the Company to a concentration of risk, consist principally of short-term investments, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. Short-term investments consist primarily of municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, non-U.S. certificates of deposit and non-U.S. government securities at interest rates that vary by security. The Company’s cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds. Certain bank deposits may at times be in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. The Company sells its products on account to manufacturers, distributors, retailers and others worldwide and generally requires no collateral. Revenue from certain customers represented more than 10% of consolidated revenue. Revenue from Arrow Electronics, Inc. represented 12%, 13% and 16% of revenue for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Revenue from The Home Depot, Inc. represented 11% of revenue in both fiscal 2015 and 2014. 81 No customers individually accounted for more than 10% of the consolidated accounts receivable balance at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014. Arrow Electronics, Inc. is a customer of the LED Products and Power and RF Products segments. The Home Depot, Inc. is a customer of the Lighting Products segment. Note 15 – Retirement Savings Plan The Company sponsors one employee benefit plan (the 401(k) Plan) pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. All U.S. employees are eligible to participate under the 401(k) Plan on the first day of a new fiscal month after the date of hire. Under the 401(k) Plan, there is no fixed dollar amount of retirement benefits; rather, the Company matches a defined percentage of employee deferrals, and employees vest in these matching funds over time. Employees choose their investment elections from a list of available investment options. During the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, the Company contributed approximately $6.9 million, $6.3 million and $6.2 million to the 401(k) Plan, respectively. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation does not insure the 401(k) Plan. Note 16 – Related Party Transactions On August 17, 2011, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Ruud Lighting, two of the prior shareholders of Ruud Lighting, Alan Ruud and Christopher Ruud, executed offer letters for continued employment with Ruud Lighting. Also on August 17, 2011, subsequent to the Company’s acquisition of Ruud Lighting and pursuant to an Aircraft Purchase and Sale Agreement and a Joint Ownership Agreement with Ruud Lighting, each of Alan Ruud (through LSA, LLC, a limited liability company of which Alan Ruud is the sole member (LSA)) and Christopher Ruud (through Light Speed Aviation, LLC, a limited liability company of which Christopher Ruud is the sole member (Light Speed)) acquired a 10% interest in an aircraft previously purchased by Ruud Lighting, resulting in the Company owning an 80% interest in the aircraft. Each of LSA and Light Speed acquired its ownership in the aircraft for a purchase price of approximately $0.9 million for a combined interest of 20% or $1.9 million which is included in Purchase of acquired business, net of cash acquired in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as cash provided by investing activities. On June 25, 2014, the Company acquired the combined 20% interest in the aircraft from LSA and Light Speed for $1.5 million, resulting in the Company having 100% ownership of the aircraft. Pursuant to the Joint Ownership Agreement, each of LSA and Light Speed was responsible for its share of flight crew, direct, fixed and other expenses attributable to the aircraft. During fiscal 2014, the Company billed LSA and Light Speed $234 thousand and $697 thousand, respectively. Of these billed amounts, the Company had been reimbursed by LSA and Light Speed for $225 thousand and $630 thousand, respectively, as of June 29, 2014. The Company had $9 thousand outstanding receivables from LSA and $86 thousand in outstanding receivables from Light Speed as of June 29, 2014. The Company also had unbilled receivables of $6 thousand and $46 thousand for LSA and Light Speed, respectively, as of June 29, 2014. As of June 28, 2015, the Company had no outstanding receivables from LSA or Light Speed. In July 2010, Mark Swoboda was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Intematix Corporation (Intematix). Mark Swoboda is the brother of the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Charles M. Swoboda. For a number of years the Company has purchased raw materials from Intematix pursuant to standard purchase orders in the ordinary course of business. During fiscal 2015, the Company purchased $7.2 million of raw materials from Intematix, and the Company had $0.1 million outstanding payable to Intematix as of June 28, 2015. During fiscal 2014, the Company purchased $8.8 million of raw materials from Intematix, and the Company had $0.3 million outstanding payable to Intematix as of June 29, 2014. As discussed in Note 4, “Investments,” the Company acquired approximately 13% of the common stock of Lextar Electronics Corporation in December 2014. From the date of acquisition through June 28, 2015, the Company purchased approximately $5.9 million of inventory from Lextar and the Company had $2.5 million outstanding payable to Lextar as of June 28, 2015. Note 17 - Costs Associated with LED Business Restructuring In June 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to restructure the LED Products business. Due to recent LED market trends that have resulted in higher LED average selling price erosion than previously forecasted and the continued under-utilization of the Company’s LED factory, the restructuring is expected to reduce excess capacity and overhead in order to improve the cost structure moving forward. The primary components of the restructuring include the planned sale or abandonment of certain manufacturing equipment, facility consolidation and the elimination of certain positions. Additionally, 82 the Company increased LED reserves to reflect the more aggressive pricing environment experienced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and to factor in a more conservative pricing outlook for fiscal 2016. The following table summarizes the actual and planned charges incurred through June 28, 2015 (in thousands): Capacity and overhead cost reductions Amounts incurred through June 28, 2015 Estimated charges Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ... $ 59,487 $ 42,716 Severance expense........................................................ 2,145 2,019 Lease termination and facility consolidation costs ...... Increase in channel inventory reserves......................... Increase in inventory reserves ...................................... Total restructuring charges......................................... $ 2,682 26,479 11,091 1,246 26,479 Revenue, net 11,091 Cost of revenue, net 101,884 $ 83,551 Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets Sales, general and administrative expenses Sales, general and administrative expenses The Company anticipates that the remaining restructuring charges will be recognized in the first half of fiscal 2016. In the table above, the lease termination costs relate to the relocation of certain manufacturing operations from a leased facility in Huizhou, China to a company-owned facility which is also in Huizhou, China. In June 2015, the Company ceased using the leased facility and recognized a $0.5 million charge for the lease contract termination cost. In the table above, the severance expense relates to a reduction in manufacturing and support positions. There is not a significant retention period for impacted employees. The following table presents the changes in the severance liability under the LED Products restructuring plan (in thousands): Severance liability at June 30, 2014 ........................................................................................................... $ Severance expense ...................................................................................................................................... Severance payments.................................................................................................................................... Severance liability at June 28, 2015 ........................................................................................................... $ — 2,019 — 2,019 Note 18 - Subsequent Event On July 8, 2015, the Company closed on the acquisition of Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI), a global leader in power modules and power electronics applications, pursuant to a merger agreement with APEI and certain shareholders of APEI, whereby the Company acquired all of the outstanding share capital of APEI in exchange for a base purchase price of $13.9 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. In addition, if certain goals are achieved over the next two years, additional cash payments totaling up to $4.6 million may be made to the former APEI shareholders. In connection with this acquisition, APEI became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, renamed Cree Fayetteville, Inc. (Cree Fayetteville). Cree Fayetteville will not be considered a significant subsidiary of the Company. 83 Note 19 – Quarterly Results of Operations - Unaudited The following is a summary of the Company’s consolidated quarterly results of operations for each of the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 (in thousands, except per share data): September 28, 2014 December 28, 2014 March 29, 2015 June 28, 2015 Fiscal Year 2015 Revenue, net........................................... Cost of revenue, net ............................... Gross profit ............................................ Net income (loss) ................................... Earnings (loss) per share: Basic ............................................... Diluted ............................................ $427,672 291,852 135,820 11,130 $0.09 $0.09 $413,157 276,378 136,779 12,151 $0.11 $0.10 $409,519 284,111 125,408 651 $382,157 305,208 76,949 (87,983) $1,632,505 1,157,549 474,956 (64,051) $0.01 $0.01 ($0.83) ($0.83) ($0.57) ($0.57) Revenue, net........................................... Cost of revenue, net ............................... Gross profit ............................................ Net income ............................................. Earnings (loss) per share: Basic ............................................... Diluted ............................................ September 29, 2013 $391,006 240,249 150,757 30,497 $0.26 $0.25 December 29, 2013 $415,086 259,308 155,778 35,681 March 30, 2014 $405,259 255,265 149,994 28,164 June 29, 2014 $436,290 274,024 162,266 29,849 Fiscal Year 2014 $1,647,641 1,028,846 618,795 124,191 $0.30 $0.29 $0.23 $0.23 $0.24 $0.24 $1.03 $1.01 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Disclosure Controls and Procedures Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in that they provide reasonable assurances that the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There have been no changes to our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15 (f) under the Exchange Act, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. In the course of our ongoing preparations for making management’s report on internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, from time to time we have identified areas in need of improvement and have taken remedial actions to strengthen the affected controls as appropriate. We make these and other changes to enhance the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, which do not have a material effect on our overall internal control. 84 We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and will take action as appropriate. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) (ii) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. In making the assessment of internal control over financial reporting, our management used the criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on that assessment and those criteria, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 28, 2015. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 28, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Item 9B. Other Information Not applicable. 85 PART III Certain information called for in Items 10, 11,12, 13 and 14 is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of fiscal 2015. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Item 11. Executive Compensation Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 86 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a)(1) and (2) The financial statements and reports of independent registered public accounting firm are filed as part of this Annual Report (see “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” at Item 8). The financial statement schedules are not included in this item as they are either not applicable or are included as part of the consolidated financial statements. (a)(3) The following exhibits have been or are being filed herewith and are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K: EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 10.1* 10.2* 10.3* 10.4* 10.5* 10.6* 10.7* Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19, 2002) Bylaws, as amended and restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 27, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2015) Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19, 2002) Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated April 24, 2012, between Cree, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2012) Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 29, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2013) Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 11, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2015) 2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 23, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2012) Addendum to Form of Master Stock Option Award Agreement Terms and Conditions for Grants of Nonqualified Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 27, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2009) Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 23, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2012) Form of Master Stock Option Award Agreement for Grants of Nonqualified Stock Options (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 24, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2006) Form of Master Stock Option Award Agreement for Grants of Nonqualified Stock Options (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 26, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2011) Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 23, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2012) Form of Master Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 24, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2006) 87 10.8* 10.9* 10.10* 10.11* 10.12* 10.13* 10.14* 10.15* 10.16* 10.17* 10.18* 10.19* 10.20* 10.21* 10.22* 10.23* 10.24* Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 23, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2012) Management Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 13, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 17, 2012) Schedule of Compensation for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 25, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2013) Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation and Deferral Program (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 27, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2009) Amendment One to Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation and Deferral Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 26, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2011) Notice of Grant to Charles M. Swoboda, dated August 13, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 13, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 17, 2012) Notice of Grant to Charles M. Swoboda, dated November 28, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2013) Master Performance Unit Award Agreement, dated August 18, 2008, between Cree, Inc. and Charles M. Swoboda (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 18, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2008) Cree, Inc. Severance Plan for Section 16 Officers, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 28, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2013) Change in Control Agreement for Chief Executive Officer, effective December 17, 2012, between Cree, Inc. and Charles M. Swoboda (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 17, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 20, 2012) Form of Cree, Inc. Change in Control Agreement for Section 16 Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 17, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 20, 2012) Form of Cree, Inc. Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 25, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2010) Offer Letter Agreement executed August 16, 2011 between Cree, Inc. and Alan J. Ruud (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 25, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 20, 2011) Management Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 2013) Notice of Grant to Charles M. Swoboda, dated August 30, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 2013) Notice of Grant to Michael E. McDevitt, dated August 30, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 2013) Notice of Grant to Norbert Hiller, dated August 30, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 2013) 88 10.25* 10.26* 10.27* 10.28* 10.29* 10.30* 10.31* 10.32* 10.33* 10.34* 10.35* 10.36* 10.37 16.1 21.1 23.1 23.2 23.3 31.1 31.2 Notice of Grant to Tyrone D. Mitchell, Jr., dated August 30, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 2013) Form of Master Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 2013) Form of Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-Based) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2013) Form of Stock Unit Award Agreement (Performance-Based) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2013) 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 29, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2013) Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 29, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2014) Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 29, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2014) Notice of Grant to Charles M. Swoboda (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 25, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014) Notice of Grant to Michael E. McDevitt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 25, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014) Notice of Grant to Norbert W. G. Hiller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 25, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014) Form of Master Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 25, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014) 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 28, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2014) Credit Agreement, dated January 9, 2015, by and between Cree, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender, E-conolight LLC, a domestic subsidiary of the Company, as guarantor, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 9, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2015) Letter dated December 2, 2013 of Ernst & Young LLP to the SEC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 25, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2013) Subsidiaries of the Company Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Consent of Ernst & Young LLP Consent of KPMG Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 89 32.1 32.2 99.1** 101 * ** Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Audited financial statements of Lextar Electronics Corporation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014. The following materials from Cree, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Management contract or compensatory plan The financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 of Lextar Electronics Corporation, prepared by Lextar and audited by its independent public accounting firm, are included in this Annual Report pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X. 90 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. SIGNATURES CREE, INC. Date: August 27, 2015 By: /s/ CHARLES M. SWOBODA Charles M. Swoboda Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ CHARLES M. SWOBODA Charles M. Swoboda /s/ MICHAEL E. MCDEVITT Michael E. McDevitt /s/ CLYDE R. HOSEIN Clyde R. Hosein /s/ ROBERT A. INGRAM Robert A. Ingram /s/ FRANCO PLASTINA Franco Plastina /s/ JOHN B. REPLOGLE John B. Replogle /s/ ALAN J. RUUD Alan J. Ruud /s/ ROBERT L. TILLMAN Robert L. Tillman /s/ THOMAS H. WERNER Thomas H. Werner /s/ ANNE C. WHITAKER Anne C. Whitaker Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President August 27, 2015 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director 91 NOTES NOTES NOTES 2015 CORPORATE INFORMATION Corporate Headquarters Cree, Inc. 4600 Silicon Drive Durham, NC 27703-8475 Phone: 919.407.5300 Fax: 919.407.5615 www.cree.com Independent Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Raleigh, NC Transfer Agent and Registrar American Stock Transfer & Trust Company 56 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level New York, NY 10038 Phone: 800.937.5449 www.amstock.com Investor Relations Raiford Garrabrant Phone: 919.407.7895 Additional investor materials may be obtained without charge by contacting Investor Relations Annual Meeting of Shareholders The annual meeting of shareholders will be held on Oct. 27, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Bay 7, on the American Tobacco Campus at 318 Blackwell Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701 Additional Information The company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and is quoted under the symbol “CREE”. Executive Officers Charles M. Swoboda Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. McDevitt Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Norbert W.G. Hiller Executive Vice President – Lighting Franco Plastina Interim Executive Vice President – Power & RF Board of Directors Clyde R. Hosein Executive Vice President and CFO RingCentral, Inc. Robert A. Ingram General Partner Hatteras Venture Partners Franco Plastina Interim Executive Vice President – Power & RF Cree, Inc. John B. Replogle CEO and President Seventh Generation, Inc. Alan J. Ruud Vice Chairman – Lighting Cree, Inc. Charles M. Swoboda Chairman and CEO Cree, Inc. Robert L. Tillman Retired CEO Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Thomas H. Werner CEO SunPower Corporation Anne C. Whitaker Executive Vice President & Company Group Chairman Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Cree® and XLamp® are registered trademarks and the Cree logo is a trademark of Cree, Inc. E-conolight® is a registered trademark of E-conolight LLC. 

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