Cree, Inc.
Annual Report 2017

Plain-text annual report

CREE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT WWW.CREE.COMDear Shareholders, This year, Cree is celebrating the 30th anniversary of our founding. We are proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved through a relentless focus on innovation and a persistent drive to challenge the status quo and find a better way to do things. The technology Cree has developed over the past thirty years has enabled our customers to do things not previously possible and continues to empower the world to do more all while consuming less energy. While we have done a lot, we have more to do. In a technology business, We target growing our LED Products business by expanding our product there is no finish line, only a constant focus on creating a better future. offerings with new high-power and mid-power products to increase share This tireless pursuit of disruptive technologies is what drives our three value with existing customers as well as open new applications for our businesses to change industries, and we see a bright future for all three. technology. We recently started shipping LED components for automotive Fiscal 2017 was a year of progress for the company, even as we faced components from our recently launched JV with San’an. This business several challenges that affected our financial results. While our financial continues to execute well, and is in a good position to grow in the year ahead. forward lighting applications and we’re sampling new mid-power LED results were lower than 2016, the results do not necessarily reflect the progress we’ve made this past year. The Lighting Products business is focused on a number of key areas to drive revenue and profit growth including stronger sales channels, Our Wolfspeed business continues to perform very well with growth in new product portfolio expansion, improving operational execution all three product lines – power, RF and materials. This growth is being and recruiting new talent to the organization. Our efforts have shown driven by new design wins related to electric vehicle systems, battery encouraging initial results with the commercial business regaining storage and other industrial applications that are bringing SiC power momentum late last fiscal year. into the mainstream. The LED business made progress in 2017 despite a challenging competitive environment as we continued to innovate to I want to thank all of the many investors for their support in my role as differentiate our products in the market. The lighting business also CEO over the past 16 years. My time at the company has seen Cree grow showed improvement at the end of the year, as margins improved and from a small company providing blue LEDs and SiC wafers to a global we continued to make progress improving service levels and rebuilding leader in LEDs, lighting and power and RF devices. We have always strived customer momentum with our channel partners. to build a great company for our shareholders, customers and employees For fiscal 2018, I believe we are well positioned to grow revenue and great progress, and we aren’t slowing down. earnings, as we see progress in all three areas of the business. Our financial strength and balance sheet provides the ability to invest as Our success over the last 30 years has been the result of great teamwork needed to grow the business, and also to consider potential acquisitions by many talented people across the company. I’m confident that we have in lighting. the team in place to deliver continued success in the years ahead. by inventing new technology that makes the world better. We’ve made Our focus for Wolfspeed in 2018 is on expanding manufacturing capacity for each product line, as we are currently capacity constrained. Ongoing investments target new materials capacity coming on-line in fiscal Q2 with a doubling of capacity for materials by the end of calendar 2018. We target new power and RF capacity coming on-line in fiscal Q4 with a doubling of capacity for power devices by the end of calendar 2018. We target substantial growth in these markets over the next several years, and we are planning for additional capacity expansion to support growth beyond 2018. Chuck Swoboda Chairman and CEO 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 25, 2017 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 Name of each exchange on which registered 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,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Accelerated filer Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 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 23, 2016, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $2,673,618,543 (based on the closing sale price of $27.46 per share). The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.00125 par value per share, outstanding as of August 18, 2017 was 97,684,861. __________________________________________ 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 24, 2017 are incorporated by reference into Part III. CREE, INC. FORM 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended June 25, 2017 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 ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Page 5 11 25 26 26 26 27 29 30 49 50 90 90 91 92 92 92 92 92 93 96 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 (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 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 (the 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. 4 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. As discussed more fully below, we operate in three reportable segments: Lighting Products, LED Products and Wolfspeed. Our lighting products primarily consist of LED lighting systems and lamps. We design, manufacture and sell lighting fixtures and lamps for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Our LED products consist of LED chips and LED components. Our LED products enable our customers to develop and market LED-based products for lighting, video screens, automotive and other industrial applications. Our Wolfspeed business consists of silicon carbide (SiC) materials, power devices and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). Our materials products and power devices are used in solar, electric vehicles, motor drives, power supplies and transportation applications. Our RF devices are used in military communications, radar, satellite and telecommunication applications. As discussed more fully in Note 1, “Business,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report, on July 13, 2016, we executed a definitive agreement to sell the Wolfspeed business to Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon). Beginning in July 2016, the Company classified the results of the Wolfspeed business as discontinued operations in the Company's consolidated statements of loss for all periods presented and classified the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. On March 6, 2017, the definitive agreement with Infineon was terminated. As a result of the termination of the agreement, we have reclassified the results of the Wolfspeed business as continuing operations in our consolidated statements of loss, and presented it as a separate reportable segment, for all periods presented. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations were reclassified as held and used in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented. 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 products and aspects of product fabrication, assembly and packaging. We operate research and development facilities in North Carolina, Arkansas, California, Wisconsin, India, Italy 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. Recent Developments On April 25, 2017, we announced that we intended to form a joint venture, to be called Cree Venture LED Company, Ltd. (Cree Venture LED), with San’an Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. (San’an) to produce and deliver to market high performing, mid-power lighting class LEDs in an exclusive arrangement to serve the expanding markets of North and South America, Europe and Japan, and serve China and the rest of the world on a non-exclusive basis. Effective July 17, 2017, we entered into a Shareholders Agreement with San’an and Cree Venture LED pursuant to which we and San’an funded our contributions to Cree Venture LED and agreed upon the management and operation of Cree Venture LED. We contributed $5.1 million for a 51% ownership interest and San’an contributed $4.9 million for a 49% ownership interest. Cree Venture LED will have a five-member board of directors, three of which will be designated by Cree and two of which will be designated by San’an. In connection with forming Cree Venture LED and entering into the Shareholders Agreement, Cree Venture LED and San’an also entered into a manufacturing agreement pursuant to which San’an will supply Cree Venture LED with mid-power LED products, and we and Cree Venture LED entered into a sales agency agreement pursuant to which we will be the independent sales representative of Cree Venture LED in the exclusive markets, among certain other ancillary agreements related to the transaction. 5 We target that the parties will finish establishing Cree Venture LED and begin first product qualifications with customers during the remainder of calendar 2017. Reportable Segments Our three reportable segments are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Wolfspeed 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 further information about our reportable segments, please refer to Note 14, “Reportable Segments,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. Products by Reportable Segment Lighting Products Segment Lighting Products revenue was $701.5 million, $889.1 million, and $906.5 million, representing 48%, 55%, and 56% of our revenue for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. Lighting Products gross profit was $196.2 million, $238.2 million and $235.5 million and gross margin was 28%, 27% and 26% for the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our Lighting Products segment primarily consists of LED lighting systems and lamps. 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 $550.3 million, $551.2 million and $555.0 million representing 37%, 34%, and 34% of revenue for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. LED Products gross profit was $151.7 million, $173.8 million and $159.0 million and gross margin was 28%, 32% and 29% for the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our LED Products segment includes LED chips and LED components. 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 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. 6 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. Wolfspeed Segment Wolfspeed revenue was $221.2 million, $176.3 million, and $171.0 million, representing 15%, 11% and 10% of our revenue for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. Wolfspeed gross profit was $103.5 million, $94.6 million and $99.7 million and gross margin was 47%, 54% and 58% for the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our Wolfspeed segment includes SiC materials, power devices and RF devices. SiC Materials Our SiC materials products consist of crystals, bare and epitaxial wafers. 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. Power Devices Our power device products consist of SiC Schottky diodes, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), power modules and gate driver boards. Our 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 Our RF devices consist of GaN die, high-electron mobility transistors (HEMT) 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 14, “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; improve existing LED lighting products and develop new LED lighting systems and related controls; and develop higher power diodes/switches and higher power/linearity RF devices. 7 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 $158.5 million, $168.8 million and $182.8 million for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, 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 investments to expand our 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 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 2017, revenue from Arrow Electronics, Inc. (Arrow) accounted for 12% of our total consolidated revenue. In fiscal 2016, revenue from Arrow accounted for 10% of our total consolidated revenue. In fiscal 2015, revenue from Arrow and The Home Depot, Inc. (Home Depot) accounted for 12% and 11% of our total consolidated revenue, respectively. Arrow is a customer of our LED Products and Wolfspeed segments. Home Depot is a customer of our Lighting Products segment. For further discussion regarding customer concentration, please see Note 15, “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. 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 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 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 Wolfspeed 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 25, 2017, the last day of our 2017 fiscal year, was approximately $453.7 million, compared with a backlog of approximately $181.7 million at June 26, 2016, the last day of our 2016 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 25, 2017 backlog contained $36.3 million of research contracts signed with the U.S. Government, for which approximately $29.5 million had not been appropriated as of the last day of fiscal 2017. Our June 26, 2016 backlog contained $45.0 million of research contracts signed with the U.S. Government, for which approximately $33.7 million was not appropriated as of the last day of fiscal 2016. 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. 8 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 lighting fixture companies and lamp manufacturers. Lighting companies such as Acuity Brands, Inc., the Cooper Lighting division of Eaton Corporation plc, General Electric Company, Hubbell Incorporated, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Philips) and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH (OSRAM) are the main competitors in this market, but there are also many small and medium sized lighting competitors. Our LED lighting products compete against traditional lighting products that use 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. We also compete with LED-based products from other 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, 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, Epistar Corporation and San’an. 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, Lumileds Holding B.V., MLS, Everlight, Seoul Semiconductor 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. 9 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. Wolfspeed Segment 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 market adoption of the technology grows with rapidly expanding power and RF device designs, we are experiencing increased competition from companies such as Dow Corning, II-VI Advanced Materials, SiCrystal, Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation. We believe our leading technology and leveraged production scale position us to reliably supply production volumes to the device manufacturers in the market. Power Devices Our SiC-based power devices compete with SiC power semiconductor solutions offered by Infineon, Microsemi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Rohm Co. Ltd. and STMicroelectronics, Inc. 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, reliability and overall system price. RF Devices Our RF devices compete with M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc., Microsemi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc. and Qorvo, Inc. which all offer GaN RF products that compete 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 25, 2017, we owned or were the exclusive licensee of 2,105 issued U.S. patents and approximately 3,082 foreign patents with various expiration dates extending up to 2041. 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. 10 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 25, 2017, we employed 6,039 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. 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 acceptance of new products. Our future success may depend on our ability to deliver 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 which has impacted our results in the past, such as in our fiscal 2016 third quarter and beyond. 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 products; the accuracy of our predictions for market requirements; our ability to predict, influence and/or react to evolving standards; acceptance of our new product and systems 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 increasingly complex products and technology from development to manufacturing; our customers’ ability to develop competitive products incorporating our products; and • market acceptance of our products and our customers’ products. If any of these or other similar factors becomes problematic, we may not be able to deliver and introduce new products in a timely or cost-effective manner. 11 We face significant challenges managing our growth strategy. Our potential for growth depends significantly on the adoption of our products within the markets we serve and for other applications, and our ability to affect this rate of adoption. In order to manage our growth and business strategy effectively relative to the uncertain pace of adoption, we must continue to: • expand the capability of information systems to support a more complex business; • 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 supply an increasing number of raw materials, subsystems and finished products with the required specifications and quality, and deliver on time to our manufacturing facilities, our third party manufacturing facilities, or our logistics operations; • expand research and development, sales and marketing, technical support, distribution capabilities, manufacturing planning and administrative functions; • manage organizational complexity and communication; • • • • expand the skills and capabilities of our current management team; add experienced senior level managers and executives; attract and retain qualified employees; and adequately maintain and adjust the operational and financial controls that support our business. 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, the implementation of a new information technology platform at our Racine operations in our 2016 fiscal third quarter led to service interruptions that resulted in lower commercial lighting orders and revenues during that quarter and beyond. Allocation and effective management of the resources necessary to successfully implement, integrate, train personnel and sustain this new platform will remain critical to ensure that we are not subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, loss of customers, business disruptions or loss of or damage to intellectual property through a security breach in the near term. Additionally, we face these same risks if we fail to allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build, implement, upgrade, integrate and sustain appropriate technology infrastructure over the longer term. 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. 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 our contract manufacturers, original design manufacturers (ODMs) or other 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 contract manufacturers, ODMs or other service providers do not have the financial capability to meet our growing needs. There are also inherent execution risks in starting up a new factory or expanding production capacity, whether one of our own factories or that of our contract manufacturers or ODMs, or moving production to different contract manufacturers or ODMs, that could increase costs and reduce our operating results, including design and construction cost overruns, poor production process yields and reduced quality control. 12 We operate in industries that are subject to significant fluctuation in supply and demand and ultimately pricing that affects our revenue and profitability. The industries we serve are in different stages of adoption and are characterized by constant and rapid technological change, rapid product obsolescence and price erosion, evolving standards, short product life-cycles in the case of the LED industry and fluctuations in product supply and demand. The LED, power and RF industries have experienced significant fluctuations, often in connection with, or in anticipation of, product cycles and changes in general economic conditions. The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological change, high capital expenditures, short product life cycles and continuous advancements in process technologies and manufacturing facilities. 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 commenced a restructuring plan for our LED business that reduced excess capacity and overhead as well as increased reserves as the result of a more aggressive pricing environment. The restructuring activity ended in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. 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. 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 lighting, LED, power and RF products. Our 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’ products, resulting in a disruption in the project pipeline and lower than targeted sales for our products. Our sales agents have the ability to shift business to different suppliers within their product portfolio based on a number of factors, including customer service and new product availability. We sell a 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. Distributors also have the ability to shift business to different manufacturers within their product portfolio based on a number of factors, including new product availability and performance. 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. 13 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. In the semiconductor market, we compete with companies that have greater market share, name recognition and technical resources than we do. Competitors continue to offer new products with aggressive pricing, additional features and improved performance. Competitive pricing pressures remain a challenge and continue to accelerate the rate of decline in our sales prices, particularly in our LED Products and Wolfspeed segments. Aggressive pricing actions by our competitors in our businesses could reduce margins if we are not able to reduce costs at an equal or greater rate than the sales price decline. With the growth potential for LEDs, we will continue to face increased competition in the future across our businesses. If the investment in capacity exceeds the growth in demand, such as exists in the current LED 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 lighting and LEDs in certain markets. There are also new technologies, such as organic LEDs (OLEDs), which could potentially reduce LED demand for backlighting, potentially impacting 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 and lower cost LEDs, lighting products and power and RF 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. For example, our Wolfspeed business is currently experiencing demand in excess of our production capacity, which is resulting in longer manufacturing lead times to customers as we manage our constrained capacity. While we began in fiscal 2016 making significant investments to expand our materials, power and RF device capacity and continue to do so, these investments take time to bring in, install and get fully qualified. As a result, we may be unable to build or qualify such new capacity on a timely basis to meet customer demand and customers may fulfill their orders with one of our competitors instead. In addition, as we introduce new products and change product generations, we must balance the production and inventory of prior generation products with the production and inventory of new generation products, whether manufactured by us or our contract manufacturers, to maintain a product mix that will satisfy customer demand and mitigate the risk of incurring cost write-downs on the previous generation products, related raw materials and tooling. 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. For example, in the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we had lower overall lighting demand which led to higher costs per unit produced from our Racine factory, thereby reducing gross margins for our Lighting Products segment. 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. 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. 14 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 and installation. For example, during the second and third quarters of fiscal 2017, we determined that the quality of several of our commercial lighting products were possibly impacted by third party supplied drivers that did not meet specifications. Therefore, we increased our product warranty reserves for potential future warranty claims. 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. 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. 15 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, one of which represented 12% of our consolidated revenue in fiscal 2017. 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 or distribute 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. 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 or Cree 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 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, fires, flooding, information or other system failures or variations in the manufacturing process; 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; 16 • • 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. 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. For example, any economic and political uncertainty caused by the United Kingdom's impending exit from the European Union may negatively impact demand for our products. Additionally, 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. 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, joint ventures, divestitures, or spin-offs. If we choose to enter into such transactions, we face certain risks including: • • • • • • • • • the failure of an acquired business, investee or joint venture to meet our performance and financial 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; difficulty separating the operations, personnel and financial and operating systems of a spin-off or divestiture from our current business; the possibility we are unable to complete the transaction and expend substantial resources without achieving the desired benefit; the inability to obtain required regulatory agency approvals; uncertainty of the financial markets or circumstances that cause conditions that are less favorable and/or different than expected; and • expenses incurred to complete a transaction may be significantly higher than anticipated. 17 We may not be able to adequately address these risks or any other problems that arise from our prior or future acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, 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. 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 or Wolfspeed substrate materials develop and manufacture products using those wafers, chips and components that are offered into the same lighting, power and RF 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 or Wolfspeed substrate materials 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. Our revenue is highly dependent on our customers’ ability to produce, market and sell more integrated products. Our revenue in our LED Products and Wolfspeed 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. 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 revenue, 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, trade embargoes and other barriers to importing/exporting materials and products in a cost effective and timely manner, or changes in applicable tariffs or custom rules; the burden of complying with and changes in U.S. or international taxation policies; 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; and the burden of complying with foreign and international laws and treaties. 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 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. 18 Changes in regulatory, geopolitical, social, economic, or monetary policies and other factors, including those which may result from the new U.S. presidential administration and the U.S. Congress, if any, may have a material adverse effect on our business in the future, or may require us to exit a particular market or significantly modify our current business practices. 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. For example, the results of the United Kingdom’s referendum on whether to remain a part of the European Union have created political and economic uncertainty not only in the United Kingdom, but in many European countries in which we do business. There could be further uncertainty as the United Kingdom negotiates the future terms of its relationship with the European Union following its withdrawal. 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. On May 19, 2017, we announced that we were accelerating the succession planning process for our chief executive officer and that Charles M. Swoboda will step down from his executive positions and as a member of the Board of Directors following a transition period. Our CEO search process, which is being led by a search committee of the Board, to identify a candidate for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and President continues, and we are working with an executive search firm to assist with the process of identifying and evaluating both internal and external candidates. There are no assurances concerning the timing or outcome of our search for a new Chief Executive Officer. Our ability to execute our business strategies and attract and retain key executives may be adversely affected by the uncertainty associated with the transition to a successor Chief Executive Officer. The adoption of or changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations relating to the efficiency, performance, use or other aspects of our products 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 our products 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. Our ability and the ability of our competitors to meet these new requirements could impact competitive dynamics in the market. 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 or 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. 19 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, 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 declined from the date of our investment in December 2014 through the end of fiscal 2017 with variability between quarters, and may continue to decline in the future. As required by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, we filed Lextar’s financial statements, prepared by Lextar and audited by its independent public accounting firm, as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 as an exhibit to this Annual Report. 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 obtain a license to use third party technology. 20 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. 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. 21 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, trade embargoes, 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. 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. 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. 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 new U.S. presidential administration and U.S. Congress, 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. For example, in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 we recognized a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets and other deferred charges primarily due to our three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position in the U.S. and the termination of the Wolfspeed sale transaction, which was anticipated to generate U.S. taxable income; 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; variations in realized tax deductions for certain stock-based compensation awards (such as non-qualified stock options and restricted stock) from those originally anticipated; and 22 • 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 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 income (loss) 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. 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. 23 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 $21.12 to a high of $28.98 during the 12 months ended June 25, 2017. 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 line of credit. 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 line of credit 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 line of credit requires us to maintain compliance with certain financial ratios. In addition, our line of credit contains certain restrictions that could limit our ability to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness, dispose of 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 line of credit. 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 line of credit. 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. 24 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. Our most recent disclosure regarding our due diligence was filed in May 2017 for calendar year 2016. 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, 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. 25 Item 2. Properties The table below sets forth information with respect to our significant owned and leased facilities as of June 25, 2017. 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.......................... Laredo, TX............................ Goleta, CA ............................ Yorkville, WI........................ Pleasant Prairie, WI .............. Fayetteville, AR.................... 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 3 1 2 1 1 1,2 1 1 3 1,2 All All 966,844 203,995 802,845 823,951 2,797,635 536,169 90,613 160,000 332,271 1,119,053 189,430 100,545 25,623 79,016 147,877 26,265 63,670 38,913 66,189 737,528 15,200 — — — — 10,956 20,672 — — 46,828 83,860 62,855 418,000 116,568 681,283 167,584 97,545 1,882 77,316 145,477 — 24,998 8,958 15,477 539,237 346,815 50,527 224,845 41,764 663,951 6,646 3,000 23,741 1,700 2,400 15,309 18,000 29,955 50,712 151,463 — — — 333,348 333,348 — — — — — — — — — Total gross square footage......... 3,535,163 1,165,881 1,220,520 815,414 333,348 1 Segments listed in the “Segment Utilization” column above are identified as follows: 1) Lighting Products; 2) LED Products and 3) Wolfspeed. 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 two leases. The first land lease is for twelve acres that expires in June 2057 and supports the manufacturing facilities. The second land lease is for five acres that expires in December 2082 and is used for dormitory buildings. 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 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report, and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 26 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 324 holders of record of our common stock as of August 18, 2017. 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 2017 Fiscal 2016 High Low High Low $28.98 27.58 28.83 27.24 $23.19 21.12 25.56 21.70 $27.56 28.16 32.44 30.14 $23.95 22.12 24.07 22.43 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. 27 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 24, 2012. 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 24, 2012 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. 6/24/2012 $100.00 6/30/2013 $261.06 6/29/2014 $198.28 6/28/2015 $110.43 6/26/2016 $94.85 6/25/2017 $100.60 NASDAQ Composite Index 100.00 119.38 156.20 182.53 167.12 225.01 NASDAQ Electronic Components Index 100.00 118.23 150.86 166.70 163.71 232.96 28 Sale of Unregistered Securities There were no unregistered securities sold during fiscal 2017. Stock Repurchase Program On August 24, 2016, our Board of Directors approved our fiscal 2017 stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $300 million for all purchases from August 24, 2016 through the expiration of the program on June 25, 2017. There were no shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Since the inception of our stock repurchase program in January 2001 through June 25, 2017, we have repurchased 38.7 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $28.66 per share with an aggregate value of $1.1 billion. The repurchase program could be implemented through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of our management. On June 14, 2017, our Board of Directors approved our fiscal 2018 stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase shares of common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $200 million for all purchases from June 26, 2017 through the expiration of the program on June 24, 2018. Item 6. Selected Financial Data The consolidated statement of (loss) income data set forth below with respect to the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016, and June 28, 2015 and the consolidated balance sheet data at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016 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 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013 and the consolidated balance sheet data at June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014, and June 30, 2013 are derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. Selected Consolidated Financial Data (In thousands, except per share data) Consolidated Statement of (Loss) Income Revenue, net .................................................... Operating (loss) income .................................. Net (loss) income............................................. (Loss) earnings per share................................. Basic ................................................................ Diluted ............................................................. Weighted average shares used in per share calculation: June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Fiscal Years Ended June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 $1,473,000 (18,672) (98,118) $1,616,627 (10,471) (21,536) $1,632,505 (73,550) (64,692) $1,647,641 133,236 123,490 $1,385,982 95,454 86,227 ($1.00) ($1.00) ($0.21) ($0.21) ($0.57) ($0.57) $1.02 $1.00 $0.74 $0.73 Basic ................................................................ Diluted ............................................................. 98,487 98,487 101,783 101,783 113,022 113,022 120,623 122,914 116,621 117,979 Consolidated Balance Sheet Data Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments ...................................................... Working capital................................................ Total assets....................................................... Total long-term liabilities ................................ Total shareholders’ equity................................ June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 29, 2014 June 30, 2013 $610,938 888,607 $605,305 933,708 2,649,867 2,766,060 215,039 175,237 $713,191 $1,162,466 $1,023,915 1,053,464 2,948,033 231,295 1,467,236 3,338,981 45,943 1,308,355 3,048,062 37,061 2,222,805 2,367,824 2,461,952 2,986,383 2,803,590 29 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. As discussed more fully below, we operate in three reportable segments: Lighting Products, LED Products and Wolfspeed. Our lighting products primarily consist of LED lighting systems and lamps. We design, manufacture and sell lighting fixtures and lamps for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Our LED products consist of LED chips and LED components. Our LED products enable our customers to develop and market LED-based products for lighting, video screens, automotive and other industrial applications. Our Wolfspeed business consists of silicon carbide (SiC) materials, power devices and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). Our materials products and power devices are used in solar, electric vehicles, motor drives, power supplies and transportation applications. Our RF devices are used in military communications, radar, satellite and telecommunication applications. As discussed more fully in Note 1, “Business,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report, on July 13, 2016, we executed a definitive agreement to sell the Wolfspeed business to Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon). Beginning in July 2016, the Company classified the results of the Wolfspeed business as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of loss for all periods presented and classified the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. On March 6, 2017, the definitive agreement with Infineon was terminated. As a result of the termination of the agreement, we have reclassified the results of the Wolfspeed business as continuing operations in our consolidated statements of loss, and presented it as a separate reportable segment, for all periods presented. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations were reclassified as held and used in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented. 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 products and aspects of product fabrication, assembly and packaging. We operate research and development facilities in North Carolina, Arkansas, California, Wisconsin, India, Italy 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 • Wolfspeed 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. 30 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 Loss must be included to reconcile the consolidated gross profit to our consolidated loss before income taxes. For financial results by reportable segment, please refer to Note 14, “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, SiC power devices and GaN RF devices. Our potential for growth depends significantly on the continued adoption of LEDs, the adoption of SiC and GaN substrate and device products in the power and RF markets, and our ability to win new designs for these applications. Demand also fluctuates based on various market cycles, continuously evolving industry supply chains, and evolving competitive dynamics in each of the respective markets. These uncertainties make demand difficult to forecast for us and our customers. • • • • Intense and Constantly Evolving Competitive Environment. Competition in the industries we serve is intense. Many companies have made significant investments in product development and production equipment. 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 the LED, lighting, power and RF markets we serve. To remain competitive, market participants must continuously increase product performance, reduce costs and develop improved ways to serve their customers. To address these competitive pressures, we invest in research and development activities to support new product development, lower product costs and deliver higher levels of performance to differentiate our products in the market. In addition, we invest in systems, people and new processes to improve our ability to deliver a better overall experience for our customers. Lighting Sales Channel Development. Commercial lighting is usually sold through lighting agents and distributors in the North American lighting market. The lighting agents typically have exclusive sales rights for a defined territory and are typically aligned with one large lighting company for a large percentage of their product sales. The size, quality and capability of the lighting agent has a significant effect on winning new projects and sales in a given geographic market. While these agents sell other lighting products, the large traditional lighting companies have taken steps to prevent their channel partners from selling competing product lines. We are constantly working to improve the capabilities of our existing channel partners and increase our share of their sales as well as develop new partners to improve our sales effectiveness in each geographic market. Technological Innovation and Advancement. Innovations and advancements in LEDs, lighting and power and RF technologies continue to expand the potential commercial application for our products. 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. 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 2017 Overview The following is a summary of our financial results for the year ended June 25, 2017: • Our year-over-year revenue decreased by $144 million to $1.5 billion. • Gross margin remained flat at 30%. Gross profit decreased by $53 million to $435 million. 31 • Operating loss was $19 million in fiscal 2017 compared to operating loss of $10 million in fiscal 2016. Net loss per diluted share was $1.00 in fiscal 2017 compared to net loss per diluted share of $0.21 in fiscal 2016. • Combined cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments remained flat at $0.6 billion at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016. Cash provided by operating activities was $216 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $203 million in fiscal 2016. • We spent $104 million to repurchase 4.4 million shares of our common stock during fiscal 2017. • We spent $87 million on purchases of property and equipment in fiscal 2017 compared to $120 million in fiscal 2016. Business Outlook While we believe that the markets for our products will remain highly competitive during fiscal 2018, we believe we are uniquely positioned as a market leading innovator in all three business segments and target growth in all three businesses over the next several years. These businesses are in different phases of their growth plans and generally operate on different market cycles. This is targeted to provide better business diversity and less cyclical results over time. We are focused on the following priorities to support our goals of delivering higher revenue and profits over time: • Invest in the Wolfspeed business to increase capacity and further develop the technology to support longer term growth opportunities in SiC materials, SiC power devices and modules, and GaN RF devices. • Grow Lighting Products revenue and improve margins by investing in our channel relationships, improving execution, continuing to deliver innovative lighting solutions and by potentially acquiring complimentary businesses that are accretive to our earnings. • Grow the LED Products business by expanding our product offering with new products that leverage our market leadership to serve a larger share of existing customers’ LED demand, while also opening new applications for our technology. • Improve the customer experience and service levels in all of our businesses. 32 Results of Operations The following table sets forth certain consolidated statement of loss data for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages): June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Dollars % of Revenue Dollars % of Revenue Dollars % of Revenue 277,175 158,549 Revenue, net ........................................ $1,473,000 1,038,428 Cost of revenue, net.............................. Gross profit ......................................... 434,572 Research and development................... Sales, general and administrative ......... Amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles.............. Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ................................... Wolfspeed transaction termination fee. Operating loss ..................................... Non-operating income (expense), net .. Loss before income taxes ................... Income tax (benefit) expense ............... Net loss................................................. Basic loss per share .............................. Diluted loss per share ........................... 2,521 (12,500) (18,672) 93,454 ($98,118) 14,008 (4,664) ($1.00) ($1.00) 27,499 100 % $1,616,627 100 % $1,632,505 100 % 70 % 1,129,553 487,074 30 % 11 % 19 % 168,848 283,052 70 % 1,158,586 473,919 30 % 10 % 18 % 182,797 290,730 2 % 28,732 2 % 26,220 0 % (1 )% (1)% 1 % — % 16,913 — (10,471) (13,035) (23,506) (1,970) 6 % (7)% ($21,536) ($0.21) ($0.21) 47,722 1 % — — % (73,550) (1)% (10,389) (1 )% (83,939) (1)% (19,247) — % (1)% ($64,692) ($0.57) ($0.57) 71 % 29 % 11 % 18 % 2 % 3 % — % (5)% (1 )% (5)% (1 )% (4)% LED Business Restructuring In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a plan to restructure the LED Products business. The restructuring reduced 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. The restructuring activity ended in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. During fiscal 2016, we realized $18.8 million in LED restructuring charges, which were partially offset by a $1.1 million gain on the sale of long-lived assets related to the restructuring which were sold for a value in excess of their estimated net realizable value during fiscal 2016. The following table summarizes the actual charges incurred (in thousands): Capacity and overhead cost reductions Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ............................... Severance expense............................ Lease termination and facility consolidation costs ........................... Increase in channel inventory reserves............................................. Increase in inventory reserves .......... Total restructuring charges............. Amounts incurred during fiscal year 2015 Amounts incurred during fiscal year 2016 Cumulative amounts incurred through fiscal year 2016 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Loss $42,716 2,019 $15,506 264 $58,222 Loss on disposal or impairment of long- lived assets 2,283 Sales, general and administrative expenses 1,246 3,079 4,325 Sales, general and administrative expenses 26,479 11,091 — — 26,479 Revenue, net 11,091 Cost of revenue, net $83,551 $18,849 $102,400 33 Revenue Revenue was comprised of the following (in thousands, except percentages): Lighting Products.............. Percent of revenue.......... LED Products.................... Percent of revenue.......... Wolfspeed ......................... Percent of revenue.......... Total revenue...... June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 2015 to 2016 $701,467 $889,133 $906,502 ($187,666) (21)% ($17,369) (2)% 48% 55% 56% 550,302 551,156 554,987 (854) — % (3,831) (1)% 37% 34% 34% 221,231 176,338 171,016 44,893 25 % 5,322 3 % 15% 11% 10% $1,473,000 $1,616,627 $1,632,505 ($143,627) (9)% ($15,878) (1)% Our consolidated revenue decreased 9% to $1.5 billion in fiscal 2017 compared to $1.6 billion in fiscal 2016. Lighting Products revenue decreased by 21% and LED Products revenue decreased slightly, while Wolfspeed revenue increased by 25%. For the fiscal year ended 2016, our consolidated revenue remained flat at $1.6 billion compared to fiscal 2015. Lighting Products revenue and LED Products revenue decreased by 2% and 1%, respectively, while Wolfspeed revenue increased by 3%. Lighting Products Segment Revenue Lighting Products revenue represented approximately 48%, 55%, and 56% of our total revenue for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively. Lighting Products revenue was $701.5 million, $889.1 million, and $906.5 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively. Lighting Products revenue decreased 21% to $701.5 million in fiscal 2017 from $889.1 million in fiscal 2016. This decrease was the result of a 15% decrease in units sold and an 11% decrease in average selling prices (ASP), partially offset by the incremental revenue associated with a patent license issuance fee in connection with a new patent license agreement. The decrease in units sold in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was due to lower sales in both our commercial and consumer channels. The decrease in ASP in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily due to lower consumer bulb prices year over year. Lighting Products revenue decreased 2% to $889.1 million in fiscal 2016 from $906.5 million in fiscal 2015. This decrease was the result of lower consumer lighting sales which offset higher commercial lighting sales. The number of units sold decreased 22% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 due to lower consumer bulb sales and a change in mix, which was partially offset by an increase in ASP. The ASP increased 26% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to a higher mix of commercial lighting fixtures, which have a higher ASP than our other lighting products. LED Products Segment Revenue LED Products revenue represented 37%, 34%, and 34% of our total revenue for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. LED Products revenue was $550.3 million, $551.2 million, and $555.0 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. LED Products revenue decreased slightly to $550.3 million in fiscal 2017 from $551.2 million in fiscal 2016. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in licensing revenue mostly offset by increased product sales. The number of units sold increased 7% which was partially offset by 5% decrease in ASPs. The decrease in ASP in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was due to competitive pricing pressures. LED Products revenue decreased 1% to $551.2 million in fiscal 2016 from $555.0 million in fiscal 2015. This decrease was primarily a result of a reduction in ASP due to increased global competition for LED products which impacted both our LED chip and LED component product lines, partially offset by an increase in the overall number of units sold and an increase in license revenue associated with new patent license agreements. The ASP decreased 11% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 and the overall number of units sold increased 12% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. Wolfspeed Segment Revenue Wolfspeed revenue represented approximately 15%, 11%, and 10% of our total revenue for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Wolfspeed revenue was $221.2 million, $176.3 million, and $171.0 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 34 Wolfspeed revenue increased 25% to $221.2 million in fiscal 2017 from $176.3 million in fiscal 2016. This increase was primarily the result of a 29% increase in the number of units sold and a 2% increase in ASP, which were partially offset by a decrease in contract revenue. The increase in units sold in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was the result of increases across all products. The increase in ASP in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily due to a greater mix of higher priced material substrate and RF device products. Wolfspeed revenue increased 3% to $176.3 million in fiscal 2016 from $171.0 million in fiscal 2015. This increase was primarily the result of higher substrate and contract revenue, partially offset by lower device sales. ASPs increased 17% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015, partially offset by a 17% decrease in the number of units sold. The increase in ASP was due to a higher substrate sale mix and a greater mix of higher priced power and RF products. The decrease in units sold was primarily the result of lower RF units sold. Gross Profit and Gross Margin Gross profit and gross margin were as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Lighting Products gross profit ........... $196,218 June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 $238,242 June 28, 2015 $235,542 Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 ($42,024) (18)% 2015 to 2016 $2,700 1 % Lighting Products gross margin.... LED Products .................................... LED Products Gross Margin........ Wolfspeed gross profit....................... Wolfspeed gross margin................ Unallocated costs............................... 28% 27% 26% 151,675 173,814 158,955 (22,139) (13)% 14,859 9 % 28% 32% 29% 103,465 94,622 99,721 8,843 9 % (5,099) (5)% (16,786) Consolidated gross profit ......... $434,572 Consolidated gross margin ...... 30% (19,604) $487,074 30% 29% 47% 54% 58% (20,299) $473,919 2,818 ($52,502) (14)% (11)% 695 $13,155 (3)% 3 % Our consolidated gross profit decreased 11% to $434.6 million in fiscal 2017 from $487.1 million in fiscal 2016. Our consolidated gross margin remained flat at 30% in fiscal 2017 and in fiscal 2016. Our consolidated gross profit increased 3% to $487.1 million in fiscal 2016 from $473.9 million in fiscal 2015. Our consolidated gross margin increased to 30% in fiscal 2016 from 29% in fiscal 2015. Lighting Products Segment Gross Profit and Gross Margin Lighting Products gross profit was $196.2 million, $238.2 million, and $235.5 million in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Lighting Products gross margin was 28%, 27%, and 26% in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Lighting Products gross profit decreased 18% to $196.2 million in fiscal 2017 from $238.2 million in fiscal 2016. Lighting Products gross margin increased to 28% in fiscal 2017 from 27% in fiscal 2016. Lighting Products gross profit decreased primarily due to lower lighting product sales, higher commercial lighting product warranty reserves, and lower factory utilization, which were partially offset by a patent license issuance fee. Lighting Products gross margin increased due to the patent license issuance fee revenue, partially offset by the higher commercial lighting product warranty reserves and lower factory utilization from lower lighting product sales. Lighting Products gross profit increased 1% to $238.2 million in fiscal 2016 from $235.5 million in fiscal 2015. Lighting Products gross margin increased to 27% in fiscal 2016 from 26% in fiscal 2015. Lighting Products gross profit and gross margin increased due to a more favorable mix of commercial lighting fixtures and the benefit of factory cost reductions. LED Products Segment Gross Profit and Gross Margin Our LED Products gross profit was $151.7 million, $173.8 million, and $159.0 million in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. LED Products gross margin was 28%, 32%, and 29% in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 35 LED Products gross profit decreased 13% to $151.7 million in fiscal 2017 from $173.8 million in fiscal 2016, and LED Products gross margin decreased to 28% in fiscal 2017 from 32% in fiscal 2016. LED Products gross profit and gross margin decreased due to lower license revenue, lower pricing resulting from the increased global competition for LED products and a less favorable mix of LED products sold. LED Products gross profit increased 9% to $173.8 million in fiscal 2016 from $159.0 million in fiscal 2015, and LED Products gross margin increased to 32% in fiscal 2016 from 29% in fiscal 2015. LED Products gross profit and gross margin increased due to higher license revenue and higher units sold, partially offset by lower pricing. In fiscal 2015, LED Products gross profit and gross margin were negatively impacted by increases in channel inventory reserves and inventory reserves pursuant to our restructuring plan, as well as 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 segment. Wolfspeed Segment Gross Profit and Gross Margin Wolfspeed gross profit was $103.5 million, $94.6 million, and $99.7 million in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Wolfspeed gross margin was 47%, 54%, and 58% in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Wolfspeed gross profit increased 9% to $103.5 million in fiscal 2017 from $94.6 million in fiscal 2016. Wolfspeed gross margin decreased to 47% in fiscal 2017 from 54% in fiscal 2016. Wolfspeed gross profit increased primarily due to higher revenue. Wolfspeed gross margin decreased primarily due to costs associated with new product ramp ups and changes in product mix. Wolfspeed gross profit decreased 5% to $94.6 million in fiscal 2016 from $99.7 million in fiscal 2015. Wolfspeed gross margin decreased to 54% in fiscal 2016 from 58% in fiscal 2015. Wolfspeed gross profit and gross margin decreased primarily due to costs associated with new product ramp ups and changes in product mix. Unallocated Costs Unallocated costs were $16.8 million, $19.6 million, and $20.3 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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 $2.8 million in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to lower stock-based compensation incurred as a result of our lower average share price. Unallocated costs decreased by $0.7 million in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to lower stock-based compensation incurred as a result of our lower average share price. For further information on the allocation of costs to segment gross profit, refer to Note 14, “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 .... $158,549 June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 $168,848 June 28, 2015 $182,797 Percent of revenue .......... 11% 10% 11% Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 2015 to 2016 ($10,299) (6)% ($13,949) (8)% Research and development expenses decreased in fiscal 2017 to $158.5 million compared to $168.8 million in fiscal 2016, which decreased from $182.8 million in fiscal 2015. The decrease in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily due to cost management and the nature of current research and development projects. The decrease in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily due to a shift in emphasis to lighting-related research and development, which is inherently less expensive than LED research and development. 36 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. 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 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 2015 to 2016 Sales, general and administrative ......................... Percent of revenue........... $277,175 $283,052 $290,730 ($5,877) (2)% ($7,678) (3)% 19% 18% 18% Sales, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2017 decreased 2% to $277.2 million from $283.1 million in fiscal 2016, which was a 3% decrease from $290.7 million in fiscal 2015. The decrease in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily due to lower spending on corporate sales and marketing expenses related to lower sales and a decrease in litigation spending partially offset by higher Wolfspeed transaction expenses. The decrease in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily due to lower spending on corporate sales and marketing expenses related to lower sales, partially offset by an increase in legal fees associated with intellectual property protection and enforcement. 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 was as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Customer relationships ............... Developed technology ................ Non-compete agreements ........... Trade names, finite-lived ............ Total..................................... $6,235 20,860 404 — $27,499 $6,374 20,321 2,037 — $28,732 $5,614 18,642 1,960 4 $26,220 Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 ($139) 539 (1,633) — ($1,233) (2)% 3 % (80)% — % (4)% 2015 to 2016 $760 1,679 77 (4) $2,512 14 % 9 % 4 % (100)% 10 % Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles decreased in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 primarily due to less amortization expense for customer relationships and non-compete agreements in fiscal 2017. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the amortization of developed technology related to the acquisition of Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI) that was placed in service in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles increased in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to the APEI acquisition as discussed in Note 3, “Acquisition,” in our consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. 37 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 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 2015 to 2016 Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ..................... $2,521 $16,913 $47,722 ($14,392) (85)% ($30,809) (65)% We recognized a net loss of $2.5 million, $16.9 million, and $47.7 million on the disposal of long-lived assets in fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The decrease in net loss in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the planned sale or abandonment of certain long-lived assets in fiscal 2016 to reduce excess manufacturing capacity pursuant to our restructuring plan discussed above. The net losses in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 were 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. Wolfspeed Transaction Termination Fee As discussed more fully in Note 1, “Business,” in our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report, as a result of the termination of the agreement to sell the Wolfspeed business to Infineon, Infineon paid us a termination fee of $12.5 million in cash on March 10, 2017. Non-Operating Income (Expense), net The following table sets forth our non-operating income (expense), net (in thousands, except percentages): Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Gain on sale of investments, net................... Gain (loss) on equity investment.................. Dividends from equity investment ............... Interest income, net ...................................... Foreign currency gain (loss), net.................. Other, net ...................................................... Non-operating income (expense), net ... $93 7,543 16 3,696 2,460 200 $14,008 $238 (15,357) 1,655 4,472 (4,500) 457 ($13,035) $925 (22,624) 2,581 9,086 (929) 572 ($10,389) Year-Over-Year Change (61)% (149)% 2016 to 2017 ($145) 22,900 (1,639) (776) 6,960 (257) $27,043 2015 to 2016 ($687) 7,267 (926) (4,614) (3,571) (115) (56)% (207)% ($2,646) (99)% (17)% (155)% (74)% (32)% (36)% (51)% 384 % (20)% 25 % During fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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 15% common stock ownership interest in Lextar Electronics Corporation (Lextar), which was completed in December 2014. This investment was accounted for under the equity method from the date of investment until June 2016 when we chose for our representative not to stand for re-election as a member of the Lextar board of directors. We utilize the fair value option in accounting for our investment in Lextar. Gain on sale of investments, net. Gain on sale of investments, net was $93 thousand, $238 thousand and $925 thousand in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. Gain on sale of investments, net decreased in fiscal 2017 primarily due to lower sales of investments. Gain on sale of investments, net decreased in fiscal 2016 primarily due to lower sales of investments. 38 Gain (loss) on equity investment. Gain on equity investment was $7.5 million in fiscal 2017 and loss on equity investment was $15.4 million and $22.6 million in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. We had a gain on equity investment in fiscal 2017 due to the increase in the fair value of our Lextar investment. We had a loss on equity investment in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 due to decreases in the fair value of our Lextar investment. Lextar’s stock is publicly traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and its share price increased from 15.70 New Taiwanese Dollars (TWD) at June 26, 2016 to 18.40 TWD at June 25, 2017. Lextar's share price declined from 30 TWD at the date of our investment in December 2014 to 21.55 TWD at June 28, 2015 and to 15.70 TWD at June 26, 2016. This volatile stock price trend 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 changes will be recorded as further gains or losses on equity investment based on the increase or decrease, respectively, in the fair value of the investment during the applicable fiscal period. Further losses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Dividends from equity investment. Dividends from equity investment were $0.0 million, $1.7 million and $2.6 million in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively, due to our Lextar investment. Interest income, net. Interest income, net was $3.7 million, $4.5 million and $9.1 million in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. The decrease in interest income, net in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily due to lower invested balances and higher interest expense due to overall higher borrowings associated with our line of credit, partially offset by higher investment yields. The decrease in interest income, net in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily due to lower invested balances and higher interest expense due to overall higher borrowings associated with our line of credit, partially offset by higher investment yields. Foreign currency gain (loss), net. Foreign currency gain (loss), net consisted primarily of remeasurement adjustments resulting from our Lextar investment and consolidating our international subsidiaries. The foreign currency gain, net in fiscal 2017 was primarily due to favorable fluctuations in the exchange rate between both the Chinese Yuan and the Euro and the United States Dollar which was partially offset by an unfavorable fluctuation in the exchange rate between the TWD and the United States Dollar related to our Lextar investment. The foreign currency loss, net in fiscal 2016 was primarily due to unfavorable fluctuation in the exchange rate between the TWD and the United States Dollar related to our Lextar investment and unfavorable fluctuation in the exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan and the United States Dollar. The foreign currency gain, net for fiscal 2015 was primarily due to unfavorable fluctuation in the exchange rate between the TWD and the United States Dollar related to our Lextar investment and unfavorable fluctuation in the exchange rate between the Euro and the United States Dollar. Other, net. Other, net was $200 thousand, $457 thousand and $572 thousand in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. Income Tax Expense (Benefit) The following table sets forth our income tax expense (benefit) in dollars and our effective tax rate (in thousands, except percentages): June 25, 2017 Income tax expense (benefit)...... $93,454 Effective tax rate.................. (2,004)% Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 ($19,247) 23% ($1,970) 8% Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 2015 to 2016 95,424 (4,844)% 17,277 (90)% We recognized income tax expense of $93.5 million in fiscal 2017 as compared to income tax benefit of $2.0 million in fiscal 2016. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 8% in fiscal 2016 to (2,004)% in fiscal 2017 was due to the establishment of a valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets and other deferred charges in a period of a pre-tax loss, as discussed more fully in Note 12 “Income Taxes” to our audited financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 23% in fiscal 2015 to 8% in fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the establishment of a valuation allowance on foreign net operating loss carryovers during fiscal 2016. The variation between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent is due to: (i) changes in our valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in the U.S. and Luxembourg, (ii) income derived from international locations with lower tax rates than the U.S., and (iii) tax credits generated. 39 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 have a $500 million line of credit as discussed in Note 8, “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 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, joint ventures, divestitures, spin-offs or investments in complementary businesses, 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. Contractual Obligations At June 25, 2017, 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 ........................... Less than One Year Payments Due by Period Three to Five Years One to Three Years More Than Five Years $4,905 111,576 — 3,031 — $119,512 $6,256 4,374 145,000 6,062 — $161,692 $2,042 4,058 — 1,919 — $8,019 $1,259 4,725 — — — $5,984 Total $14,462 124,733 145,000 11,012 — $295,207 1Interest payments on long-term debt are based on the interest rate at June 25, 2017. 2 Other long-term liabilities as of June 25, 2017 included long-term tax contingencies and other tax liabilities of $49.9 million, deferred liabilities of $0.4 million and other long-term contingent liabilities (for example, warranties) of $19.8 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 April 2024. 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. 40 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 ........................ $132,597 478,341 $610,938 $166,154 439,151 $605,305 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Change ($33,557) 39,190 $5,633 Our liquidity and capital resources primarily 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. The following table presents the components of our cash conversion cycle: Three Months Ended June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Change Days of sales outstanding (a) .......................................................................... Days of supply in inventory (b) ...................................................................... Days in accounts payable (c) .......................................................................... Cash conversion cycle.............................................................................. 37 98 (46) 89 38 99 (43) 94 (1) (1) (3) (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 decrease in the cash conversion cycle was primarily driven by an increase in days in accounts payable and decreases in days of sales outstanding and in days of supply in inventory. As of June 25, 2017, we had unrealized losses on our investments of $0.3 million. All of our investments had investment grade ratings, and any such investments that were in an unrealized loss position at June 25, 2017 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 25, 2017. 41 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 ......................................................... June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Year-Over-Year Change 2016 to 2017 2015 to 2016 $215,900 (145,250) (104,078) (129) $203,316 (7,903) (167,859) (1,110) $181,254 (16,137) (311,353) (878) $12,584 (137,347) 63,781 981 $22,062 8,234 143,494 (232) ($33,557) $26,444 ($147,114) ($60,001) $173,558 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 increased to $215.9 million in fiscal 2017 from $203.3 million in fiscal 2016, primarily due to cash generated from working capital, partially offset by a higher net loss in fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $203.3 million in fiscal 2016 from $181.3 million in fiscal 2015, primarily due to a lower net loss in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. 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 $145.3 million in fiscal 2017 compared to $7.9 million in fiscal 2016. Purchases of property, equipment and patent rights decreased by $35.1 million in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016. Net purchases of short-term investments increased $181.1 million in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016. This year over year increase was primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from the sale and maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by a decrease in short-term investment purchase activity. Fiscal 2016 included $12.5 million in net expenditures to acquire APEI. Net cash used in investing activities was $7.9 million in fiscal 2016 compared to $16.1 million in fiscal 2015. Purchases of property, equipment and patent rights decreased by $91.2 million in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. Net proceeds from the sale of short-term investments decreased $156 million in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. This year over year decrease was primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from the sale and maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by a decrease in short-term investment purchase activity. Fiscal 2016 included $12.5 million in net expenditures to acquire APEI while fiscal 2015 included the $80.6 million investment in Lextar. For fiscal 2018, we target approximately $220 million of capital investment, which is primarily related to infrastructure projects to support our longer term growth and strategic priorities. Cash Flows from Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was $104.1 million in fiscal 2017 compared to net cash used by financing activities of $167.9 million in fiscal 2016. Our financing activities for fiscal 2017 primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $104.0 million and net payments on long-term debt borrowings of $15.0 million on our line of credit, partially offset by proceeds of $17.7 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. Fiscal 2017 included payment of $2.8 million in acquisition- related contingent consideration related to our fiscal 2016 acquisition of APEI. In fiscal 2016, net cash used in financing activities was $167.9 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $311.4 million in fiscal 2015. Our financing activities in fiscal 2016 primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $149.6 million and net payments on long-term borrowings of $40.0 million on our line of credit, partially offset by proceeds of $21.7 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. 42 On August 24, 2016, the Board of Directors approved our fiscal 2017 stock repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $300 million for all purchases from August 24, 2016 through the expiration of the program on June 25, 2017. On June 14, 2017, the Board of Directors approved our fiscal 2018 stock repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $200 million for all purchases from June 26, 2017 through the expiration of the program on June 24, 2018. Since the inception of our stock repurchase program in 2001, we have repurchased 38.7 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $28.66 per share with an aggregate value of $1.1 billion. The repurchase program may 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. • 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 25, 2017, financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs included money market funds. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs included municipal bonds, corporate bonds, non-U.S. certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and common stock of non- U.S. corporations. 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 6, “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 analysis performed on our financial positions at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016. Actual results may differ materially. Interest Rates We maintain an investment portfolio principally composed of money market funds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. In order to minimize risk, our cash management policy permits us to acquire investments rated “A” grade or better. As of June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016, our cash equivalents and short-term investments had a fair value of $482.1 million and $439.9 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 $8.8 million at June 25, 2017 and $9.6 million at June 26, 2016. 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. 43 As of June 25, 2017, 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 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016, we had $145 million and $160 million outstanding, respectively, under the line of credit. If interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points, the annual interest incurred under our line of credit would have increased by $1.5 million at June 25, 2017 and $1.6 million at June 26, 2016. 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 (1) the U.S. Dollar and the Chinese Yuan and (2) the U.S. Dollar and the Taiwanese Dollar. A hypothetical 10% increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar compared to the Chinese Yuan would result in a potential gain of approximately $0.4 million at June 25, 2017 and a potential loss of $1.0 million at June 26, 2016. The potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar compared to the Taiwanese Dollar was approximately $5.0 million at June 25, 2017 and $4.2 million at June 26, 2016. 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 25, 2017, 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 25, 2017 are detailed above in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the section entitled “Contractual Obligations.” 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. 44 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 25, 2017, 56% 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 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. 45 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 available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets by jurisdiction. This consideration includes a variety of factors such as 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. 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. 46 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. 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. 47 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 we operate 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. 48 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 13, “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. 49 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index to Consolidated Financial Statements Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .............................................................................................. Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016 ............................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Loss for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015 .......................... Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015............... Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................................................................................................... Page 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 50 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 statements of loss, comprehensive loss, cash flows and shareholders’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cree, Inc. and its subsidiaries at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 25, 2017 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 25, 2017, 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 23, 2017 51 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.............................................................................................. Income tax receivable.................................................................................................. Inventories ................................................................................................................... Prepaid expenses ......................................................................................................... Other current assets ..................................................................................................... Current assets held for sale.......................................................................................... Total current assets............................................................................................... Property and equipment, net ............................................................................................... Goodwill ............................................................................................................................. Intangible assets, net........................................................................................................... Other long-term investments .............................................................................................. Deferred income taxes ........................................................................................................ Other assets......................................................................................................................... Total assets.................................................................................................. LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable, trade............................................................................................... Accrued salaries and wages......................................................................................... 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 13) Shareholders’ equity: June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 (In thousands, except par value) $132,597 478,341 610,938 148,392 8,040 284,385 23,305 23,390 2,180 1,100,630 581,263 618,828 274,315 50,366 11,763 12,702 $2,649,867 $133,185 41,860 36,978 212,023 145,000 49,860 20,179 215,039 $166,154 439,151 605,305 165,611 6,304 303,542 26,810 44,788 4,347 1,156,707 599,723 618,828 302,810 40,179 38,564 9,249 $2,766,060 $132,286 44,642 46,071 222,999 160,000 943 14,294 175,237 Preferred stock, par value $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016; none issued and outstanding ............................................................... — — Common stock, par value $0.00125; 200,000 shares authorized at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016; 97,674 and 100,829 shares issued and outstanding at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016, respectively.......................................................................... Additional paid-in-capital............................................................................................ Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes ............................................ Accumulated deficit..................................................................................................... Total shareholders’ equity .................................................................................... Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity.................................................... 121 2,419,517 5,909 (202,742) 2,222,805 $2,649,867 125 2,359,584 8,728 (613) 2,367,824 $2,766,060 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 52 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 (In thousands, except per share data) June 28, 2015 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 ................... Wolfspeed transaction termination fee......................................... Total operating expenses....................................................... Operating loss ..................................................................................... Non-operating income (expense), net ................................................. Loss before income taxes .................................................................... Income tax expense (benefit) .............................................................. Net loss ................................................................................. Loss per share: Basic............................................................................................. Diluted.......................................................................................... Weighted average shares used in per share calculation: Basic............................................................................................. Diluted.......................................................................................... $1,473,000 1,038,428 434,572 $1,616,627 1,129,553 487,074 $1,632,505 1,158,586 473,919 158,549 277,175 27,499 2,521 (12,500) 453,244 (18,672) 14,008 (4,664) 93,454 ($98,118) ($1.00) ($1.00) 98,487 98,487 168,848 283,052 28,732 16,913 — 497,545 (10,471) (13,035) (23,506) (1,970) ($21,536) ($0.21) ($0.21) 101,783 101,783 182,797 290,730 26,220 47,722 — 547,469 (73,550) (10,389) (83,939) (19,247) ($64,692) ($0.57) ($0.57) 113,022 113,022 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 53 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Net loss................................................................................................. Other comprehensive (loss) income: Currency translation loss, net of tax benefit of $0, $0 and $0, respectively........................................................................................... Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax (expense) benefit of $0, ($1,936), and $1,284, respectively ................ Other comprehensive (loss) income .................................................. Comprehensive loss ............................................................................ June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 (In thousands) June 28, 2015 ($98,118) ($21,536) ($64,692) (153) (362) (3,563) (2,666) (2,819) ($100,937) 3,292 2,930 ($18,606) (2,044) (5,607) ($70,299) The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 54 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 (In thousands) June 28, 2015 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss............................................................................................................................ Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: ($98,118) ($21,536) ($64,692) 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 ................................................ (Gain)/loss on equity method investment................................................................ Foreign exchange (gain)/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 patent and licensing rights ................................................................. Proceeds from sale of property and equipment....................................................... Purchases of short-term investments....................................................................... Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments............................................... Proceeds from sale of short-term investments ........................................................ Purchase of other long-term investments ................................................................ Purchase of acquired business, net of cash acquired............................................... Net cash used in investing activities............................................................. Cash flows from financing activities: Payment of acquisition-related contingent consideration ....................................... 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 financing activities ............................................................ Effects of foreign exchange changes on cash and cash equivalents........................................ Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ............................................................. Cash and cash equivalents: 150,508 47,725 2 — 2,521 5,427 (7,543) (2,644) 74,918 16,955 17,918 17,438 (4,818) (4,389) 215,900 (86,928) (12,405) 1,392 (200,405) 125,922 27,174 — — (145,250) (2,775) 468,000 (483,000) 17,716 (2) (104,017) (104,078) (129) (33,557) 159,145 58,728 (12) — 16,913 5,314 15,357 2,057 (15,839) 21,800 (23,269) 8,103 (12,090) (11,355) 203,316 (120,018) (14,443) 5,296 (220,823) 312,524 42,074 — (12,513) (7,903) — 653,000 (693,000) 21,682 12 (149,553) (167,859) (1,110) 26,444 173,323 64,299 (1,395) 254 47,722 6,152 22,624 347 (21,346) 37,853 3,528 (11,112) (44,796) (31,507) 181,254 (206,160) (19,491) 285 (349,802) 419,802 219,795 (80,566) — (16,137) — 695,000 (495,000) 36,929 1,395 (549,677) (311,353) (878) (147,114) Beginning of period ...................................................................................... End of period ................................................................................................ 166,154 $132,597 139,710 $166,154 286,824 $139,710 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest............................................................................................... Cash paid for income taxes $3,588 $8,494 $3,110 $14,722 $1,002 $28,834 Significant non-cash transactions: Accrued property and equipment ............................................................................ $10,173 $3,721 $24,243 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 55 CREE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common Stock Number of Shares Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital (Accumulated deficit)/ Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total Shareholders’ Equity (In thousands) Balance at June 29, 2014....................... Net loss............................................ 120,114 — $149 — $2,190,011 — $784,818 (64,692) $11,405 — $2,986,383 (64,692) Currency translation loss, net of tax benefit of $0 .................................... Unrealized loss on available-for- sale securities, net of tax benefit of $1,284.............................................. Comprehensive income ................... 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....................... Net loss............................................ Currency translation loss, net of tax benefit of $0 .................................... Unrealized gain on available-for- sale securities, net of tax expense of $1,936.......................................... Comprehensive income ................... Income tax expense from stock option exercises ............................... Repurchased shares ......................... Stock-based compensation .............. Exercise of stock options and issuance of shares ............................ Balance at June 26, 2016....................... Net loss............................................ Currency translation loss, net of tax benefit of $0 .................................... Unrealized loss on available-for- sale securities, net of tax expense of $0................................................. 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 25, 2017....................... — — — (16,034) — 1,427 105,507 — — — — (5,842) — 1,164 100,829 — — — — (4,460) — 1,305 97,674 — — — (20) — 2 $131 — — — — (7) — — — (1,010) — 64,720 31,833 $2,285,554 — — — (3,525) — 58,425 1 $125 — 19,130 $2,359,584 — — — — (6) — 2 — — (253) — 46,813 13,373 — — — (549,657) — — $170,469 (21,536) — — — (149,546) — — ($613) (98,118) — — — (104,011) — — (3,563) (3,563) (2,044) — — (2,044) (70,299) (1,010) (549,677) 64,720 — $5,798 — 31,835 $2,461,952 (21,536) (362) (362) 3,292 — — — 3,292 (18,606) (3,525) (149,553) 58,425 — $8,728 — 19,131 $2,367,824 (98,118) (153) (153) (2,666) — — — (2,666) (100,937) (253) (104,017) 46,813 13,375 $121 $2,419,517 ($202,742) $5,909 $2,222,805 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 56 CREE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 – Business Overview Cree, Inc. (the Company) 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. 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 lamps. 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 chips and LED components. The Company's LED products enable its customers to develop and market LED-based products for lighting, video screens, automotive and other industrial applications. The Company’s Wolfspeed business consists of silicon carbide (SiC) materials, power devices and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). The Company’s materials products and power devices are used in solar, electric vehicles, motor drives, power supplies and transportation applications. The Company’s RF devices are used in military communications, radar, satellite and telecommunication applications. 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 products and aspects of product fabrication, assembly and packaging. The Company operates research and development facilities in North Carolina, Arkansas, California, Wisconsin, India, Italy 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 • Wolfspeed For financial results by reportable segment, please refer to Note 14, “Reportable Segments.” Termination of Wolfspeed Sale Transaction On July 13, 2016, the Company executed an Asset Purchase Agreement (the APA) with Infineon, which was approved by both the Company’s Board of Directors and Infineon’s Supervisory Board. Pursuant to the APA, the Company agreed to sell to Infineon, and Infineon agreed to (i) purchase from the Company (a) the assets comprising the Company’s power and RF product lines (formerly the Company's Power and RF Products segment), including manufacturing facilities and equipment, inventory, intellectual property rights, contracts, real estate, and the outstanding equity interests of Cree Fayetteville, Inc, one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, and (b) certain related portions of the Company’s SiC materials and gemstones business previously included within the LED Products segment and (ii) assume certain liabilities related to the Wolfspeed business. Beginning in July 2016, the Company classified the results of the Wolfspeed business as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of loss for all periods presented. The Company also ceased recording depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets of the Wolfspeed business upon classification as discontinued operations in July 2016. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations were classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. 57 On February 16, 2017, the Company announced that the APA would be terminated as the Company and Infineon were unable to identify alternatives to modify the transaction to address the national security concerns of, and obtain approval from, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, one of the closing conditions under the APA. On March 6, 2017, the Company and Infineon entered into a Termination Agreement pursuant to which the APA was terminated. Pursuant to the APA and the Termination Agreement, Infineon paid the Company a termination fee of $12.5 million in cash on March 10, 2017, which is included in Wolfspeed transaction termination fee in the Company’s consolidated statements of loss and in net cash provided by operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. As a result of the announcement of the termination of the APA and the Company’s decision to continue operating the Wolfspeed business, as of February 16, 2017, the Company reclassified the results of the Wolfspeed business as continuing operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of loss, and presented it as a separate reportable segment for all periods presented. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities of the Wolfspeed business were reclassified as held and used in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented. The long-lived assets were measured at the lower of their carrying amount before being classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation and amortization expense that would have been recognized had the assets been continuously classified as held and used, or their fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell. 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 2017, 2016 and 2015 fiscal years were 52-week fiscal years. The Company’s 2018 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 loss or shareholders’ equity. 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. 58 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 25, 2017, June 26, 2016, and June 28, 2015, 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 15% common stock ownership interest in Lextar Electronics Corporation (Lextar), which the Company acquired in December 2014. This investment was accounted for under the equity method from the date of investment until June 2016 when the Company chose for its representative not to stand for re-election as a member of the Lextar board of directors. The Company utilizes the fair value option in accounting for its investment in Lextar. The Company has determined that for its fiscal years ended June 26, 2016 and 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 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 $7.3 million, $3.6 million and $15.2 million, for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 59 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 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; 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. 60 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. 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. 61 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 13, “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 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. 62 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 and amounted to approximately $13.0 million, $12.6 million, and $25.6 million for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. Research and Development Research and development activities are expensed when incurred. Loss Per Share Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted loss per share is determined in the same manner as basic loss 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 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016 due to the short-term nature of these instruments. 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. 63 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 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 Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The FASB has subsequently issued multiple ASUs which amend and clarify the guidance in 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 Company’s evaluation of ASU 2014-09 is ongoing and not complete; however, the Company anticipates the primary changes to revenue recognition to be related to certain patent license arrangements. The FASB has issued and may issue in the future, interpretive guidance, which may cause our evaluation to change. The effective date will be the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 and the Company currently expects to use the modified retrospective method. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: Leases (Topic 842). The ASU requires that a lessee recognize in its statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. For income statement purposes, leases are still required to be classified as either operating or finance. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. The effective date will be the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending June 28, 2020, using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently analyzing the impact of this new pronouncement. Stock Compensation In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09: Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The ASU simplifies the current stock compensation guidance for tax consequences. The ASU requires an entity to recognize all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in its income statement. The ASU also eliminates the requirement to defer recognition of an excess tax benefit until the benefit is realized through a reduction to taxes payable. For cash flows statement purposes, excess tax benefits should be classified as an operating activity and cash payments made to taxing authorities on the employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be classified as financing activity. The effective date will be the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending June 24, 2018. The Company's adoption of this ASU is not expected to impact its consolidated financial statements. 64 Goodwill Impairment Testing In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04: Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The ASU simplifies the manner in which an entity is required to test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Additionally, the ASU removes the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails such qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The effective date will be the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending June 27, 2021. The Company’s adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. Note 3 – Acquisition 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 $13.8 million, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, if certain goals are achieved over the subsequent two years, additional cash payments totaling up to $4.6 million may be made to the former APEI shareholders. Payments totaling $2.8 million were made to the former APEI shareholders in July 2016 based on achievement of the first year goals. Payments totaling $1.8 million were made to the former APEI shareholders in July 2017 based on achievement of the second year goals. In connection with this acquisition, APEI became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, renamed Cree Fayetteville, Inc. (Cree Fayetteville). Cree Fayetteville is not considered a significant subsidiary of the Company and its results from operations are reported as part of the Company's Wolfspeed segment. 65 The total purchase price for this acquisition was as follows (in thousands): Cash consideration paid to shareholders .................................................................................................. Post closing adjustments .......................................................................................................................... Contingent consideration.......................................................................................................................... Total purchase price.................................................................................................................................. $13,797 181 4,625 $18,603 The purchase price for this acquisition has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as follows (in thousands): Tangible assets: Cash and cash equivalents .................................................................................................................. Accounts receivable............................................................................................................................ Inventories .......................................................................................................................................... Property and equipment...................................................................................................................... Other assets......................................................................................................................................... Total tangible assets..................................................................................................................... Intangible assets: Patents................................................................................................................................................. Customer relationships ....................................................................................................................... Developed Technology....................................................................................................................... In-process research & development.................................................................................................... Non-compete agreements ................................................................................................................... Goodwill ............................................................................................................................................. Total intangible assets.................................................................................................................. Liabilities assumed: Accounts payable................................................................................................................................ Accrued expenses and liabilities......................................................................................................... Other long-term liabilities................................................................................................................... Total liabilities assumed............................................................................................................... Net assets acquired ................................................................................................................................ $1,284 1,006 143 935 270 3,638 40 4,500 11,403 7,565 231 2,483 26,222 55 1,911 9,291 11,257 $18,603 The identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the acquisition will be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives as follows (in thousands, except for years): Asset Amount Estimated Life in Years Patents ............................................................................................................ Customer relationships................................................................................... Developed Technology................................................................................... In-process research and development1 ........................................................... Non-compete agreements ............................................................................... Total identifiable intangible assets........................................................ $40 4,500 11,403 7,565 231 $23,739 20 4 10 7 3 (1) In-process research and development (IPR&D) is initially classified as indefinite-lived assets and tested for impairment at least annually or when indications of potential impairment exist. The IPR&D was completed in January 2016. Goodwill largely consists of expansion of product offerings of power modules and power electronics applications, manufacturing and other synergies of the combined companies, and the value of the assembled workforce. The assets, liabilities and operating results of APEI have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and are not significant to the Company as a whole. 66 Note 4 – 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 25, 2017 $205,516 912 206,428 (49,425) (8,611) $148,392 June 26, 2016 $217,691 2,135 219,826 (48,710) (5,505) $165,611 The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s allowance for sales returns, discounts and other incentives (in thousands): June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Balance at beginning of period ....................................................................... Current period claims ................................................................................. Provision for sales returns, discounts and other incentives........................ Balance at end of period ........................................................................ $48,710 (191,325) 192,040 $49,425 $58,094 (163,523) 154,139 $48,710 $29,010 (148,715) 177,799 $58,094 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 ........................................................................ $5,505 3,541 (435) $8,611 $4,941 564 — $5,505 $2,761 2,184 (4) $4,941 June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Inventories The following table summarizes the components of inventories (in thousands): Raw material............................................................................................................................... Work-in-progress........................................................................................................................ Finished goods ............................................................................................................................ Inventories ........................................................................................................................... $73,410 100,402 110,573 $284,385 $83,299 96,779 123,464 $303,542 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 67 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 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 $14,567 399,305 1,185,119 11,138 46,677 6,972 162,450 1,826,228 (1,244,965) $581,263 $14,280 386,573 1,126,936 10,455 44,095 6,497 150,114 1,738,950 (1,139,227) $599,723 Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $110.7 million, $118.8 million and $136.3 million for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. During the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, the Company recognized approximately $1.3 million, $10.3 million and $44.3 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. 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........................................................................................ $11,148 5,545 13,631 6,654 $36,978 $12,720 7,980 20,207 5,164 $46,071 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 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 (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities .................................... Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes .................................... $4,471 1,438 $5,909 $4,624 4,104 $8,728 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 68 Non-Operating Income (Expense), net The following table summarizes the components of non-operating (expense) income, net (in thousands): June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Gain on sale of investments, net ..................................................................... Gain (loss) on equity investment .................................................................... Dividends from equity investment .................................................................. Interest income, net ......................................................................................... Foreign currency gain (loss), net..................................................................... Other, net......................................................................................................... Non-operating income (expense), net ............................................................. $93 7,543 16 3,696 2,460 200 $14,008 $238 (15,357) 1,655 4,472 (4,500) 457 ($13,035) $925 (22,624) 2,581 9,086 (929) 572 ($10,389) Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes (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 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Loss $93 93 — $93 $238 238 20 $218 $925 Non-operating income (expense), net 925 Loss before income taxes 210 Income tax expense (benefit) $715 Net loss Note 5 – Investments Investments consist of municipal bonds, corporate bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. 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................................................................... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit .......................................... U.S. certificates of deposit................................................... Commercial paper ............................................................... Total short-term investments........................................ June 25, 2017 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value $2,219 1,925 — — — $4,144 ($68) (195) — — — ($263) $180,041 177,721 120,379 — 200 $478,341 Amortized Cost $177,890 175,991 120,379 — 200 $474,460 69 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): Municipal bonds................................... Corporate bonds ................................... Total............................................... Number of securities with an unrealized loss ...................................... Less than 12 Months Fair Value $26,816 57,404 $84,220 Unrealized Loss ($68) (195) ($263) 67 June 25, 2017 Greater than 12 Months Unrealized Loss Fair Value $— — $— Total Fair Value $26,816 57,404 $84,220 Unrealized Loss ($68) (195) ($263) 67 $— — $— — The following table summarizes short-term investments (in thousands): Municipal bonds .................................................................. Corporate bonds................................................................... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit .......................................... U.S. certificates of deposit................................................... Commercial paper ............................................................... Total short-term investments........................................ June 26, 2016 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value $3,562 3,074 — — — $6,636 ($15) (73) — — — ($88) $190,440 168,767 73,127 3,500 3,317 $439,151 Amortized Cost $186,893 165,766 73,127 3,500 3,317 $432,603 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): Municipal bonds................................... Corporate bonds ................................... Total............................................... Number of securities with an unrealized loss ...................................... Less than 12 Months Fair Value $2,936 27,578 $30,514 Unrealized Loss ($9) (73) ($82) 22 June 26, 2016 Greater than 12 Months Unrealized Loss Fair Value $3,535 — $3,535 Total Fair Value $6,471 27,578 $34,049 Unrealized Loss ($15) (73) ($88) 25 ($6) — ($6) 3 The Company utilizes specific identification in computing realized gains and losses on the sale of investments. Realized gains on the sale of investments for the fiscal year ended June 25, 2017 of $93 thousand were included in Non-operating income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Loss 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 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016. 70 The contractual maturities of short-term investments at June 25, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Municipal bonds....................................... Corporate bonds ....................................... Non-U.S. certificates of deposit............... U.S. certificates of deposit ....................... Commercial paper.................................... Total short-term investments ............ Within One Year $45,519 48,515 5,755 — 200 $99,989 After One, Within Five Years $107,947 94,637 114,624 — — $317,208 After Five, Within Ten Years After Ten Years $26,575 34,569 — — — $61,144 $— — — — — $— Total $180,041 177,721 120,379 — 200 $478,341 Note 6 – 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 and long-term investments. As of June 25, 2017, financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs included money market funds, and financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs included municipal bonds, corporate bonds, non-U.S. certificates of deposit, commercial paper, 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 25, 2017. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended June 25, 2017. 71 The following table sets forth financial instruments carried at fair value within the U.S. GAAP hierarchy (in thousands): 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. certificates of deposit .......................... Commercial paper ........ Non-U.S. certificates of deposit .......................... Total short-term investments............ Other long-term investments Common stock of non- U.S. corporations.......... Total other long- term investments ... Total assets... June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total — $ 1,802 $ — $ 1,802 $ — $ — $ — $ — — 1,184 736 — 1,184 2,538 — — — 736 1,184 3,722 — 576 576 137 — 137 — — — 137 576 713 — 180,041 — 177,721 — 180,041 — 177,721 — 190,440 — 168,767 — 190,440 — 168,767 — — — 200 — — — 200 — 120,379 — 120,379 — — — 3,500 3,317 73,127 — — — 3,500 3,317 73,127 — 478,341 — 478,341 — 439,151 — 439,151 — 50,366 — 50,366 — 40,179 — 40,179 — $1,184 50,366 $531,245 — 50,366 $— $532,429 — $576 40,179 $479,467 — 40,179 $— $480,043 Note 7 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill The Company’s reporting units for goodwill impairment testing are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Wolfspeed As of the first day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company performed a step one quantitative goodwill impairment assessment on each reporting unit. For the step one impairment test, the Company derived each 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 Company utilized a discount rate from the capital asset pricing model for the discounted cash flow analysis. Once the reporting unit fair values were calculated, the Company reconciled the reporting units' relative fair values to the Company's market capitalization as of the testing date. The Company then compared the carrying value of each reporting unit, inclusive of its assigned goodwill, to its fair value. The Company determined that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, and as a result, step two of the goodwill impairment test was not necessary. 72 Goodwill by reporting unit as of June 25, 2017 was as follows (in thousands): LED Products Lighting Products Wolfspeed Consolidated Total $180,278 $337,781 $100,769 $618,828 Goodwill by reporting unit as of June 26, 2016 was as follows (in thousands): LED Products Lighting Products Wolfspeed Consolidated Total $180,278 $337,781 $100,769 $618,828 Intangible Assets The following table presents the components of intangible assets, net (in thousands): June 25, 2017 Accumulated Amortization Net Gross June 26, 2016 Accumulated Amortization 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................ Gross $141,420 181,728 10,475 520 151,985 486,128 79,680 $565,808 ($84,673) (132,747) (10,398) (520) (63,155) $56,747 48,981 77 — 88,830 (291,493) 194,635 ($291,493) 79,680 $274,315 $141,420 181,728 10,475 520 145,780 479,923 79,680 $559,603 Net $62,982 69,844 481 — 89,823 ($78,438) (111,884) (9,994) (520) (55,957) (256,793) 223,130 ($256,793) 79,680 $302,810 Total amortization of finite-lived intangible assets was $39.8 million, $40.4 million and $37.1 million for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company started amortizing IPR&D assets acquired in the APEI acquisition that were completed during the respective period. As of the first day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company performed a step one quantitative 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 greater than its carrying value and therefore a step two quantitative impairment assessment was not required. The Company invested $12.4 million, $14.4 million and $19.5 million for the years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively, for patent and licensing rights. For the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, the Company recognized $1.2 million, $6.7 million and $3.4 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 24, 2018.......................................................................................................................................................... June 30, 2019.......................................................................................................................................................... June 28, 2020.......................................................................................................................................................... June 27, 2021.......................................................................................................................................................... June 26, 2022.......................................................................................................................................................... Thereafter ............................................................................................................................................................... Total future amortization expense.......................................................................................................................... $38,858 37,320 24,463 19,192 17,816 56,986 $194,635 73 Note 8 – Long-term Debt As of June 25, 2017 the Company had a 500 million secured revolving line of credit pursuant to a credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Wells Fargo) under which the Company can borrow, repay and reborrow loans from time to time prior to its scheduled maturity date of January 9, 2020. The Company classifies balances outstanding under its line of credit as long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At June 25, 2017, the Company had $145 million outstanding under the Credit Agreement and $355 million available for borrowing. For the year ended June 25, 2017, the average interest rate under the Credit Agreement was 1.56%. The average commitment fee percentage for the Credit Agreement was 0.11% for the year ended June 25, 2017. For the year ended June 26, 2016, the average interest rate under the Credit Agreement was 1.14%. The average commitment fee percentage for the Credit Agreement was 0.09% for the year ended June 26, 2016. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the Credit Agreement at June 25, 2017. Note 9 – Shareholders’ Equity On August 24, 2016, the Board of Directors approved the Company's fiscal 2017 stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $300 million for all purchases from August 24, 2016 through the expiration of the program on June 25, 2017. During fiscal 2017, the Company repurchased 4.4 million shares of its common stock under the program at an average price of $23.55 per share with an aggregate value of $104.0 million. The repurchase program could be implemented through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of the Company’s management. From the inception of the predecessor stock repurchase program in January 2001 through June 25, 2017, the Company has repurchased 38.7 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $28.66 per share with an aggregate value of $1.1 billion. On June 14, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the Company's fiscal 2018 stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $200 million for all purchases from June 26, 2017 through the expiration of the program on June 24, 2018. The repurchase program may 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. 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 carried stock purchase rights under the plan. The rights plan was 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. 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 April 24, 2017, the shareholder rights plan expired pursuant to its terms and is no longer in effect. At June 25, 2017, the Company had reserved a total of approximately 19.3 million shares of its common 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 ......................................................................................................................... Number of Shares 10,604 2,347 6,214 65 102 19,332 74 Note 10 – Loss Per Share The following table presents the computation of basic loss per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Basic: Net loss..................................................................................................... Weighted average common shares........................................................... Basic loss per share ............................................................................... ($98,118) 98,487 ($1.00) ($21,536) 101,783 ($0.21) ($64,692) 113,022 ($0.57) The following computation reconciles the differences between the basic and diluted loss per share presentations (in thousands, except per share amounts): June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Diluted: Net loss..................................................................................................... Weighted average common shares - basic ............................................... Weighted average common shares - diluted ............................................ Diluted loss per share............................................................................... ($98,118) 98,487 98,487 ($1.00) ($21,536) 101,783 101,783 ($0.21) ($64,692) 113,022 113,022 ($0.57) Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted earnings per share or decreasing diluted loss per share are considered to be anti-dilutive and as such, these shares are not included in calculating diluted loss per share. For the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, there were 11.4 million, 11.4 million and 7.0 million, respectively, of potential common shares not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share because their effect was anti-dilutive. Note 11 – 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 25, 2017, there were 10.6 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. 75 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 25, 2017, there were 4.5 million shares authorized for issuance under the ESPP, as amended, with 0.1 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 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 25, 2017 and changes during the fiscal year then ended (numbers of shares in thousands): Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Total Intrinsic Value Outstanding at June 26, 2016.......................... Granted ........................................................... Exercised......................................................... Forfeited or expired ........................................ Outstanding at June 25, 2017.......................... Vested and expected to vest at June 25, 2017. Exercisable at June 25, 2017 .......................... 11,247 1,795 (119) (2,319) 10,604 10,377 7,297 $40.42 24.50 26.06 38.67 $38.27 $38.54 $42.22 3.49 3.44 2.62 $1,745 $1,593 $233 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 23, 2017 (the last trading day of fiscal 2017) of $25.35 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 25, 2017. As of June 25, 2017, there was $15.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.46 years. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 25, 2017 (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 5,422 234 2,074 146 2,728 10,604 Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price Number 3.98 3.85 4.06 2.90 2.19 3.49 $26.82 36.05 45.13 49.11 55.43 $38.27 2,868 174 1,405 124 2,726 7,297 $28.31 36.18 45.13 49.27 55.43 $42.22 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........................................................ $8.20 $344 $8.79 $838 $15.27 $9,418 76 June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Restricted Stock Awards and Units A summary of nonvested restricted stock awards (RSAs) and restricted stock unit awards (RSUs) outstanding as of June 25, 2017 and changes during the year then ended is as follows (in thousands, except number of shares and units): Number of RSAs/RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Nonvested at June 26, 2016 ....................................................................................... Granted....................................................................................................................... Vested......................................................................................................................... Forfeited..................................................................................................................... Nonvested at June 25, 2017 ....................................................................................... 1,631 1,573 (579) (213) 2,412 $31.66 24.60 34.13 28.48 $26.74 As of June 25, 2017, there was $37.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.38 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. 77 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 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 $10,427 10,619 26,679 $47,725 $12,394 13,842 32,492 $58,728 $12,836 16,524 34,939 $64,299 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 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 1.06% 3.80 42.4% — 1.18% 3.66 43.3% — 1.17% 3.54 45.2% — 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. 78  Note 12 – Income Taxes The following were the components of loss before income taxes (in thousands): Domestic ......................................................................................................... Foreign ............................................................................................................ Total loss before income taxes................................................................. June 25, 2017 ($43,195) 38,531 ($4,664) Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 ($45,278) 21,772 ($23,506) June 28, 2015 ($41,593) (42,346) ($83,939) The following were the components of income tax expense (benefit) (in thousands): Current: Federal...................................................................................................... Foreign ..................................................................................................... State.......................................................................................................... Total current...................................................................................... Deferred: Federal...................................................................................................... Foreign ..................................................................................................... State.......................................................................................................... Total deferred.................................................................................... Income tax expense (benefit) .......................................................................... June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 $10,304 7,332 900 18,536 68,199 190 6,529 74,918 $93,454 $5,347 7,278 1,244 13,869 (26,086) 12,340 (2,093) (15,839) ($1,970) ($12,470) 13,327 1,242 2,099 (7,418) (12,754) (1,174) (21,346) ($19,247) Actual income tax expense (benefit) 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): 79 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............. Research and development credits ............ Foreign tax credit ...................................... Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance .................................................. Qualified production activities deduction . Stock-based compensation ........................ Statutory rate differences .......................... Foreign earnings taxed in U.S................... Foreign currency fluctuations ................... Other foreign adjustments ......................... Net operating loss carryback..................... Provision to return adjustments................. Other.......................................................... Income tax expense (benefit) ............. June 25, 2017 % of Loss ($1,632) 35% (727) (69) (1,243) (4,383) (3,587) (1,728) (1,114) 16% 1% 27% 94% 77% 37% 24% Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 ($8,227) 35% % of Loss June 28, 2015 ($29,379) % of Income 35% (748) (269) (2,019) (4,334) (2,138) (954) 18% (80) —% 9% 3% 1% 9% 4% 1% 1% 3% (817) (585) (2,413) (6,826) 8% (225) —% 2% (389) —% (2,081) — (520) 2,988 —% 1% (4)% (22)% (2)% 18,738 1,793 (818) 1% (83) —% —% — —% 391 979 (1)% ($19,247) 23% 108,077 (2,318)% 9,286 (39)% — 1,346 2,748 1,165 —% (6)% (12)% (5)% (3)% 748 —% 13 238 (1)% (10) —% (5)% 8% 1,265 ($1,970) — 1,389 (5,162) 1,313 841 715 494 165 105 —% (30)% 111% (28)% (18)% (15)% (11)% (4)% (2)% $93,454 (2,004)% 80 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): June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 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 (liability) asset, net .................................................................................... $3,029 21,042 8,480 10,340 21,776 13,425 3,507 23,525 796 46,922 3,262 2,522 158,626 (107,544) 51,082 (7,443) (73,692) (4,102) (1,461) (2,481) (89,179) ($38,097) $3,176 19,656 6,615 8,013 11,443 8,802 3,286 17,838 872 48,191 4,159 2,792 134,843 (10,770) 124,073 (9,549) (69,355) (2,445) (1,527) (3,576) (86,452) $37,621 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 25, 2017 Assets Current $— — $— Noncurrent $— 11,763 $11,763 Liabilities Current Noncurrent $— — $— ($49,103) (757) ($49,860) Balance at June 26, 2016 Assets Liabilities Current $— — $— Noncurrent $26,411 12,153 $38,564 Current $— — $— Noncurrent $— (943) ($943) 81 During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company concluded that it was necessary to recognize a full valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets and other deferred charges primarily due to the Company’s three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position in the U.S. and the termination of the Wolfspeed sale transaction, which was anticipated to generate U.S. taxable income. Based on this evaluation, during the fiscal year ended June 25, 2017, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $101.8 million against its U.S. deferred tax assets. In addition, the company recognized a related deferred tax charge of $17.9 million. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company concluded it is likely that sufficient future taxable income needed to fully utilize net operating loss carryovers in Luxembourg will not be generated due to additional losses on the Company’s equity method investment held there. The Company recorded a $9.5 million valuation allowance against the related deferred tax asset, representing the $32.4 million net operating loss carryover net of tax. During the fiscal year ended June 25, 2017, the Company reduced the valuation allowance against the loss carryover deferred tax assets by $1.0 million as a result of a decrease in the effective tax rate. As of June 25, 2017, the Company had approximately $36.2 million of foreign net operating loss carryovers, of which $32.4 million are offset by a valuation allowance. The foreign net operating loss carryovers have no carry forward limitation. As of June 25, 2017, the Company had approximately $39.3 million of state net operating loss carryovers which are fully offset by a valuation allowance. Additionally, the Company had $45.7 million of federal and $6.3 million of state income tax credit carryforwards which are fully offset by a valuation allowance. The state net operating loss carryovers will begin to expire in fiscal 2018. The federal and state income tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in fiscal 2032 and fiscal 2018, respectively. 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 26, 2016 the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $17.7 million. During the fiscal year ended June 25, 2017, the Company recognized a $4.4 million decrease to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits; $3.7 million following statute expirations, $0.6 million related to settlement of the audit by the Italian Revenue Agency and $0.1 million related to a decrease in the effective tax rate. As a result, the total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 25, 2017 was $13.3 million. If any portion of this $13.3 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 statute requirements. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the Company’s change in uncertain tax positions (in thousands): Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Balance at beginning of period ...................................................................................... Increases related to prior year tax positions ........................................................... Decreases related to prior year tax positions .......................................................... Settlements with tax authorities.............................................................................. Expiration of statute of limitations for assessment of taxes ................................... Balance at end of period .................................................................................. $17,727 — (100) (608) (3,681) $13,338 $17,795 617 (530) — (155) $17,727 $18,389 — (407) — (187) $17,795 82 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. Total interest and penalties accrued were as follows (in thousands): Accrued interest and penalties .................................................................................................... $2 ($5) Total interest and penalties recognized were as follows (in thousands): June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Recognized interest and penalties (benefit) ................................................................... $7 ($15) ($94) 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 2014. For U.S. state tax returns, the Company is generally no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2013. For foreign purposes, the Company is generally no longer subject to examination for tax periods 2007 and prior. Certain carryforward tax attributes generated in prior years remain subject to examination, adjustment and recapture. On January 20, 2017, the Company settled an ongoing audit by the Italian Revenue Agency for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, resulting in immaterial impact on tax expense. 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 25, 2017, U.S. income taxes were not provided for on a cumulative total of approximately $262.0 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 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company did not meet the requirements for the tax holiday, and as such, no benefit has been recognized. Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies Warranties The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s product warranty liabilities (in thousands): June 25, 2017 Fiscal Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 Balance at beginning of period ....................................................................... Warranties accrued in current period....................................................... Recall costs accrued in current period ..................................................... Expenditures ............................................................................................ Balance at end of period.................................................................................. $21,531 32,024 — (25,636) $27,919 $13,968 19,866 5,756 (18,059) $21,531 $6,822 9,242 5,418 (7,514) $13,968 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 quarterly 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 25, 2017, $14.3 million of the Company’s product warranty liabilities were classified as long-term. 83 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 April 2024. 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 $7.0 million, $6.6 million and $8.2 million for each of the fiscal years ended June 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, 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 25, 2017 (under leases currently in effect) are as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Years Ending June 24, 2018 .............................................................................................................................................. June 30, 2019 .............................................................................................................................................. June 28, 2020 .............................................................................................................................................. June 27, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................. June 26, 2022 .............................................................................................................................................. Thereafter.................................................................................................................................................... Total future minimum rental payments ............................................................................................... Minimum Rental Amount $4,905 3,364 2,892 1,350 692 1,259 $14,462 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 14 - Reportable Segments The Company’s operating and reportable segments are: • Lighting Products • LED Products • Wolfspeed 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 lamps. 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. 84 LED Products Segment The Company’s LED Products segment includes LED chips and LED components. LED Chips The Company's 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 The Company's LED components 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 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. 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. Wolfspeed Segment The Company’s Wolfspeed segment includes SiC materials, power devices and RF devices. SiC Materials The Company’s SiC materials products consist of crystals, bare and epitaxial wafers. 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. Power Devices The Company’s power device products consist of SiC Schottky diodes, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), power modules and gate driver boards. 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 consist of GaN die, high-electron mobility transistors (HEMT) and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), which are optimized for military, telecommunications 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. Financial Results by Reportable Segment The table below reflects the results of the Company’s reportable segments as reviewed by the CODM for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015. The Company used the same accounting policies to derive the segment results reported below as those used in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 85 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 must be included to reconcile the consolidated gross profit presented in the table below to the Company’s consolidated loss 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 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Gross Profit and Gross Margin Year Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 June 25, 2017 Lighting Products.......................... $701,467 $889,133 $906,502 $196,218 $238,242 $235,542 Lighting Products gross margin. LED Products................................ LED Products gross margin....... Wolfspeed ..................................... Wolfspeed gross margin.............. Total segment reporting.............. $1,473,000 550,302 221,231 Unallocated costs .......................... Consolidated gross profit ......... Consolidated gross margin ...... Assets by Reportable Segment 28% 27% 26% 551,156 554,987 151,675 173,814 158,955 28% 32% 29% 176,338 171,016 103,465 94,622 99,721 $1,616,627 $1,632,505 47% 54% 58% 451,358 (16,786) $434,572 506,678 (19,604) $487,074 494,218 (20,299) $473,919 30% 30% 29% Inventories are the only assets reviewed by the Company’s CODM when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources to the segments. 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 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016. 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. 86 Inventories for each of the Company's segments were as follows (in thousands): Lighting Products........................................................................................................ $ LED Products.............................................................................................................. Wolfspeed ................................................................................................................... Total segment inventories......................................................................................... Unallocated inventories .............................................................................................. Consolidated inventories........................................................................................ 145,710 $ 108,297 26,453 280,460 3,925 $284,385 172,261 104,544 21,871 298,676 4,866 $303,542 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 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 25, 2017 For the Years Ended June 26, 2016 June 28, 2015 United States ............................................................................................. China ......................................................................................................... Europe ....................................................................................................... South Korea............................................................................................... Japan.......................................................................................................... Malaysia .................................................................................................... Taiwan....................................................................................................... Other.......................................................................................................... Total percentage of revenue............................................................... 56% 22% 10% 2% 4% 1% 1% 4% 59% 20% 8% 1% 4% 1% 1% 6% 57% 21% 9% 1% 4% 1% 1% 6% 100% 100% 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 ........................................................................................... Note 15 – Concentrations of Risk June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 $483,953 94,022 3,288 $488,342 108,183 3,198 $581,263 $599,723 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, commercial paper and certificates of deposit 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 Arrow Electronics, Inc. represented 12%, 10% and 12% of revenue for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Revenue from The Home Depot, Inc. represented 5%, 8% and 11% of revenue for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. No customers individually accounted for more than 10% of the consolidated accounts receivable balance at June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016. 87 Arrow Electronics, Inc. is a customer of the LED Products and Wolfspeed segments. The Home Depot, Inc. is a customer of the Lighting Products segment. Note 16 – 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 25, 2017, June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, the Company contributed approximately $7.3 million, $7.0 million and $6.9 million to the 401(k) Plan, respectively. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation does not insure the 401(k) Plan. Note 17 – Related Party Transactions 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 2017, the Company purchased $2.3 million of raw materials from Intematix, and the Company had $0.0 million outstanding payable to Intematix as of June 25, 2017. During fiscal 2016, the Company purchased $3.9 million of raw materials from Intematix, and the Company had $0.3 million outstanding payable to Intematix as of June 26, 2016. The Company currently owns approximately 15% of the common stock of Lextar, an investment that was purchased in December 2014. As discussed in Note 1, “Business,” this investment was accounted for under the equity method from the date of investment until June 2016 when the Company chose for its representative not to stand for re-election as a member of the Lextar board of directors. During fiscal 2016, the Company purchased approximately $31.7 million of inventory from Lextar and the Company had $7.6 million outstanding payable to Lextar as of June 26, 2016. Note 18 - Costs Associated with LED Business Restructuring In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a plan to restructure the LED Products business. The restructuring reduced 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. The restructuring activity ended in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. During fiscal 2016, the company realized $18.8 million in LED restructuring charges which were partially offset by a $1.1 million gain on the sale of long-lived assets related to the restructuring which were sold for a value in excess of their estimated net realizable value during fiscal 2016. 88 The following table summarizes the actual charges incurred (in thousands): Capacity and overhead cost reductions Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets ........................................ Amounts incurred during fiscal year 2015 Amounts incurred during fiscal year 2016 Cumulative amounts incurred through fiscal year 2016 $42,716 $15,506 $58,222 Severance expense ................... 2,019 264 2,283 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Loss Loss on disposal or impairment of long- lived assets Sales, general and administrative expenses Sales, general and administrative expenses Lease termination and facility consolidation costs ................... Increase in channel inventory reserves .................................... Increase in inventory reserves.. Total restructuring charges..... 1,246 3,079 4,325 26,479 11,091 $83,551 — — 26,479 Revenue, net 11,091 Cost of revenue, net $18,849 $102,400 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 and all severance was paid in fiscal 2016. Note 19 - Subsequent Event On April 25, 2017, the Company announced that it intended to form a joint venture, to be called Cree Venture LED Company, Ltd. (Cree Venture LED), with San’an Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. (San’an) to produce and deliver to market high performing, mid- power lighting class LEDs in an exclusive arrangement to serve the expanding markets of North and South America, Europe and Japan, and serve China and the rest of the world on a non-exclusive basis. Effective July 17, 2017, the Company entered into a Shareholders Agreement with San’an and Cree Venture LED pursuant to which the Company and San’an funded their contributions to Cree Venture LED and agreed upon the management and operation of Cree Venture LED. The Company contributed $5.1 million for a 51% ownership interest and San’an contributed $4.9 million for a 49% ownership interest. Cree Venture LED will have a five-member board of directors, three of which will be designated by the Company and two of which will be designated by San’an. In connection with forming Cree Venture LED and entering into the Shareholders Agreement, Cree Venture LED and San’an also entered into a manufacturing agreement pursuant to which San’an will supply Cree Venture LED with mid-power LED products, and Cree Venture LED and the Company entered into a sales agency agreement pursuant to which the Company will be the independent sales representative of Cree Venture LED in the exclusive markets, among certain other ancillary agreements related to the transaction. The Company targets that Cree Venture LED will finish becoming fully established and begin first product qualifications with customers by the end of calendar 2017. 89 $358,939 $1,473,000 260,938 1,038,428 98,001 (5,890) ($0.06) ($0.06) 434,572 (98,118) ($1.00) ($1.00) Fiscal Year 2016 $1,616,627 1,129,553 487,074 (21,536) Note 20 – 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 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016 (in thousands, except per share data): September 25, 2016 December 25, 2016 March 26, 2017 June 25, 2017 Fiscal Year 2017 Revenue, net........................................... Cost of revenue, net ............................... Gross profit ............................................ Net loss................................................... Earnings (loss) per share: Basic ............................................... Diluted ............................................ $371,231 261,302 109,929 566 $— $— $401,325 260,759 140,566 6,219 $341,505 255,429 86,076 (99,013) $0.06 $0.06 ($1.02) ($1.02) Revenue, net........................................... Cost of revenue, net ............................... Gross profit ............................................ Net (loss) income ................................... (Loss) earnings per share: Basic ............................................... Diluted ............................................ September 27, 2015 $425,489 294,916 130,573 (24,489) ($0.24) ($0.24) 301,361 134,445 13,442 $0.13 $0.13 December 27, 2015 $435,806 March 27, 2016 $366,919 June 26, 2016 $388,413 257,886 109,033 152 275,390 113,023 (10,641) $— $— ($0.11) ($0.11) ($0.21) ($0.21) 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 2017 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. 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. 90 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 25, 2017. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2017 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. 91 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 2017. PART III 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 92 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 2.1 3.1 3.2 4.1 10.1* 10.2* 10.3* 10.4* 10.5* 10.6* 10.7* 10.8* 10.9* Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2016, by and among Infineon Technologies AG, Cree, Inc., and Cree Sweden AB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated July 13, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2016) 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 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 herein 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 herein 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) Form of 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 23, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2012) 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) 93 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 10.25* Amendment One to 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 December 26, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2011) 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) 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 herein 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 herein 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) Form of Master Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated herein 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 herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 25, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2016) 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 herein 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) Credit Agreement Consent, dated as of July 13, 2016, 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 to the Credit Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 25, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 19, 2016) Notice of Grant to Charles M. Swoboda (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 23, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2016) 94 10.26* 10.27* 10.28* 10.29* 10.30* 10.31 10.32* 21.1 23.1 23.2 31.1 31.2 32.1 32.2 99.1** 101 * ** Notice of Grant to Michael E. McDevitt (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 23, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2016) Management Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 23, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2016) Schedule of Compensation for 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, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2015) Form of Performance Share Award Agreement - Section 16 Officer (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 27, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2015) Change in Control Agreement for Section 16 Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, dated July 13, 2016, by and between Cree, Inc. and Franco Plastina (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 13, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2016) Termination Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2017, by and between Cree, Inc. and Infineon Technologies AG (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, March 6, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2017) Separation, General Release and Consulting Agreement, dated May 18, 2017, 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 May 18, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2017) Subsidiaries of the Company Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers 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 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 years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The following materials from Cree, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 25, 2017 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Loss; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss; (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 years ended December 31, 2015 and 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. 95 Item 16. Form 10-K Summary None. 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 23, 2017 By: /s/ CHARLES M. SWOBODA Charles M. Swoboda Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) 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 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President August 23, 2017 /s/ MICHAEL E. MCDEVITT Michael E. McDevitt Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer) /s/ CLYDE R. HOSEIN Clyde R. Hosein /s/ ROBERT A. INGRAM Robert A. Ingram /s/ DARREN R. JACKSON Darren R. Jackson /s/ C. HOWARD NYE C. Howard Nye /s/ JOHN B. REPLOGLE John B. Replogle /s/ THOMAS H. WERNER Thomas H. Werner /s/ ANNE C. WHITAKER Anne C. Whitaker Director Director Director Director Director Director Director August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 August 23, 2017 96 NOTES NOTES 2016 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. 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Cree Lighting Experience Center, located at 4408 Silicon Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27703 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 Daniel J. Castillo Executive Vice President and President – Lighting Board of Directors Clyde R. Hosein Former CFO RingCentral, Inc. Robert A. Ingram General Partner Hatteras Venture Partners Darren R. Jackson Retired CEO Advance Auto Parts, Inc. C. Howard Nye Chairman, CEO and President Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. John B. Replogle CEO and President Seventh Generation, Inc. Charles M. Swoboda Chairman and CEO Cree, Inc. Thomas H. Werner CEO SunPower Corporation Anne C. Whitaker CEO and President Novoclem Therapeutics, Inc. Cree® and XLamp® are registered trademarks, and the Cree logo and Wolfspeed™ are trademarks of Cree, Inc. E-conolight® is a registered trademark of E-conolight LLC. CREE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT WWW.CREE.COM

Continue reading text version or see original annual report in PDF format above