10-KPeriod: FY2002

ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 29, 2002

Filed March 14, 2003For Securities:AMD

Summary

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) reported significant financial challenges for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2002. The company experienced a substantial decline in net sales, down 31% from the previous year, primarily driven by a weakening PC market and the company's strategic decision to reduce inventory levels in the supply chain. This downturn resulted in a significant operating loss and a net loss of $1.3 billion for the year. AMD also underwent a significant restructuring, impacting approximately 15% of its workforce and involving facility consolidations and the abandonment of certain IT projects, incurring $330.6 million in related charges. Despite these challenges, AMD is investing heavily in research and development, particularly for its upcoming eighth-generation microprocessors, AMD Opteron and AMD Athlon 64, which are expected to be key drivers for future growth. The company's financial position remains a concern, with substantial debt obligations and a focus on managing cash flow. AMD is actively seeking to strengthen its market position by investing in new technologies and strategic partnerships, aiming to compete more effectively against industry leader Intel. The company's future performance will largely depend on the successful market introduction and acceptance of its new 64-bit processor lines and a recovery in the broader semiconductor industry.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net sales decreased by 31% to $2.7 billion in 2002, compared to $3.9 billion in 2001, primarily due to weakness in the PC market and inventory management actions.
  • 2The company reported a net loss of $1.3 billion for the fiscal year 2002, a significant increase from the $61 million net loss in 2001.
  • 3AMD undertook a significant restructuring plan in 2002, resulting in workforce reductions and facility consolidations, incurring $330.6 million in associated charges.
  • 4Research and development expenses increased by 25% to $816 million in 2002, reflecting continued investment in new microprocessor technologies.
  • 5The company issued $500 million in 4.75% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2022 and $402.5 million in 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2007 to strengthen its financial position.
  • 6AMD is preparing to launch its next-generation 64-bit processors, AMD Opteron (April 2003) and AMD Athlon 64 (September 2003), critical for future growth.
  • 7The company faces intense competition, particularly from Intel, which dominates the PC processor market, posing significant challenges to AMD's market share and pricing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2002, AMD reported a significant decline in net sales to $2.7 billion, down 31% from $3.9 billion in 2001. The company incurred a substantial net loss of $1.3 billion, compared to a net loss of $61 million in the prior year. This performance was impacted by a weakening semiconductor market, particularly in the PC sector, and strategic decisions to manage inventory.

AMD implemented a major restructuring plan in 2002 aimed at aligning its cost structure with current industry conditions. This involved reducing its workforce by approximately 2,000 employees (15% of its total workforce), consolidating facilities, and discontinuing certain IT implementation projects. The company recorded $330.6 million in restructuring costs and other special charges related to these actions.

AMD's primary strategy for future growth centers on the development and market introduction of its new 64-bit microprocessors: AMD Opteron for servers and workstations, and AMD Athlon 64 for desktop and mobile PCs. The company is also investing heavily in research and development, including strategic partnerships, to enhance its manufacturing process technologies and product performance to compete effectively against industry leaders like Intel.

AMD's financial condition in 2002 was characterized by significant operating losses and a substantial increase in debt due to financing activities, including the issuance of convertible debentures and notes. The company plans significant capital expenditures for 2003 to support its new product lines. While AMD believes its current cash and financing arrangements are sufficient for the next 12 months, its outlook remains dependent on a recovery in the semiconductor industry and the successful adoption of its new technologies.