10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2005

MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Mar 3, 2005

Filed April 12, 2005For Securities:MU

Summary

Micron Technology, Inc. reported a significant return to profitability in the quarter ended March 3, 2005, with net income of $117.9 million, a substantial improvement from a net loss of $28.3 million in the same period last year. This positive performance was driven by a 32% increase in net sales year-over-year, reaching $1.31 billion, fueled by a 36% rise in megabits sold. Despite a decrease in average selling prices per megabit, the company managed to improve its gross margin percentage to 27% from 25% in the prior year's quarter, largely due to reductions in manufacturing costs. Financially, Micron demonstrated strong operating cash flow generation of $599.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2005. The company continued its strategic investment in manufacturing capabilities, with capital expenditures of $670.6 million in the same period, and expects full-year capital spending to approximate $1.5 billion. The balance sheet shows total assets of $8.1 billion and shareholders' equity of $5.9 billion. Investors should note the ongoing legal proceedings, particularly concerning alleged antitrust violations in the DRAM industry and intellectual property disputes with Rambus, which represent potential material risks.

Key Highlights

  • 1Returned to profitability with $117.9 million net income for the quarter ended March 3, 2005, a significant turnaround from a loss of $28.3 million in the prior year.
  • 2Net sales increased 32% year-over-year to $1.31 billion, driven by a 36% increase in megabits sold.
  • 3Gross margin improved to 27% from 25% year-over-year, aided by manufacturing cost reductions despite lower average selling prices per megabit.
  • 4Generated strong operating cash flow of $599.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2005.
  • 5Continued significant investment in manufacturing, with $670.6 million in capital expenditures in the first six months and an expected full-year total of $1.5 billion.
  • 6Total assets reached $8.1 billion, with shareholders' equity at $5.9 billion as of March 3, 2005.
  • 7The company faces significant ongoing legal proceedings, including antitrust investigations and intellectual property disputes, which pose potential material risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Micron's return to profitability was driven by a significant increase in net sales, up 32% year-over-year to $1.31 billion, primarily due to a 36% increase in the volume of megabits sold. While average selling prices per megabit decreased, the company successfully reduced its cost of goods sold per megabit through manufacturing efficiencies and yield improvements, leading to an improved gross margin of 27%.

Micron is continuing to invest heavily in its manufacturing capabilities and future growth. Capital expenditures were $670.6 million in the first six months of fiscal 2005, and the company anticipates full-year capital spending to be around $1.5 billion. These investments are aimed at developing new product and process technologies, supporting future growth, achieving operating efficiencies, and maintaining product quality.

The company faces several significant risks, including potential further declines in average selling prices for memory products due to increased worldwide production and fluctuating demand, the maturation of the computer industry impacting sales growth, and the inability to reduce manufacturing costs at historical rates. Additionally, ongoing legal proceedings related to alleged antitrust violations and intellectual property disputes pose a material risk to the company's business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Micron is strategically diversifying its business into semiconductor products beyond core DRAM, such as NAND Flash and CMOS image sensors, which are expected to experience rapid market growth. The company plans to allocate an increasing portion of its manufacturing capacity to these products in 2005 and 2006. They are also increasing production of DDR2 products, which are expected to become their primary DRAM product type in 2006, despite these products producing fewer megabits per wafer currently.