EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 772406
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 772406_10-K_2021_0000772406-21-000013.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. Business
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (“Cirrus Logic,” “We,” “Us,” “Our,” or the “Company”) is a leader in low-power, high-precision mixed-signal processing solutions that create innovative user experiences for the world’s top mobile and consumer applications.
We were incorporated in California in 1984, became a public company in 1989 and were reincorporated in the State of Delaware in February 1999. Our primary facility housing engineering, sales and marketing, and administrative functions is located in Austin, Texas. We also have offices in various other locations in the United States, United Kingdom, the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan. Our common stock, which has been publicly traded since 1989, is listed on the NASDAQ's Global Select Market under the symbol CRUS.
We maintain a website with the address www.cirrus.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We also routinely post other important information on our website, including information specifically addressed to investors or posted on the "Ask the CEO" portion of our website. We intend for the investor relations section of our website to be a recognized channel of distribution for disseminating information to the securities marketplace in general. To receive a free copy of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please forward your written request to Cirrus Logic, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 800 W. 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701, or via email at Investor@cirrus.com. In addition, the SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements filed electronically with the SEC by Cirrus Logic.
Company Strategy
Cirrus Logic targets growing markets where we can leverage our expertise in advanced mixed-signal processing to solve complex problems. The Company has identified three growth vectors that are expected to fuel opportunities in the coming years. First, we anticipate strengthening our position as the leading audio supplier in smartphones. Second, we are focused on increasing sales of audio components in applications beyond smartphones. And third, we are drawing on our extensive mixed-signal engineering expertise to develop solutions in new, adjacent product areas that we believe will drive diversification beyond the audio domain. Our approach has been to develop custom and general market components that embody our latest innovations, which we use to engage key players in a particular market or application. We focus on building strong engineering relationships with our customers’ product teams and work to develop highly differentiated components that address their technical and price requirements across product tiers. Many of our products include programmable aspects and are comprised of our best-in-class hardware which incorporates software algorithms from some combination of our own intellectual property (“IP”), algorithms that have been ported to our platform by an ecosystem of third-party partners, and our customers’ IP. When we have been successful with this approach, one initial design win has often expanded into additional products. This strategy gives us the opportunity to increase our content with a customer over time through the incorporation of new features, the integration of other system components into our products and the addition of new components.
Markets and Products
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company adjusted how we report product line revenue to better represent our business and strategic focus. The revised product line categories are Audio and High-Performance Mixed-Signal, compared to Portable and Non-Portable and Other Products in prior periods. While we continue to see new opportunities for growth in the coming years with audio products in both smartphones and in applications beyond smartphones, we believe our investment in high-performance mixed-signal products will drive product diversification and fuel exciting additional avenues of growth. See Note 9 - Revenues for disclosure of revenue associated with modified product line categories and revenue as previously reported.
The following provides a detailed discussion regarding our audio and high-performance mixed-signal product lines.
Audio Products: Smart codecs, boosted amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters and standalone digital signal processors.
High-Performance Mixed-Signal Products: Haptic driver and sensing solutions, camera controllers and power-related components.
AUDIO PRODUCTS
Cirrus Logic is a leading supplier of low-power, low-latency, high-precision audio components that are used in a variety of applications including smartphones, tablets, truly wireless headsets, laptops, AR/VR headsets, home theater systems,
automotive entertainment systems and professional audio systems. We have an extensive portfolio of products, including “codecs” - chips that integrate analog-to-digital converters (“ADCs”) and digital-to-analog converters (“DACs”) into a single integrated circuit ("IC"), “smart codecs” - codecs with digital signal processing integrated, boosted amplifiers, as well as standalone digital signal processors (“DSPs”). Additionally, the Company’s SoundClear® technology consists of a broad portfolio of tools, software and algorithms that help to differentiate our customers’ products by improving the user experience with features such as louder, high-fidelity sound, high-quality audio playback, voice capture, hearing augmentation and active noise cancellation.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MIXED-SIGNAL PRODUCTS
Drawing on our extensive mixed-signal design and low-power processing expertise, Cirrus Logic has expanded beyond our traditional audio domain into new categories where we provide a range of high-performance mixed-signal ICs, including haptic driver and sensing solutions, camera controllers and power-related components. These products help deliver a more immersive and compelling user experience in a wide array of applications including smartphones, tablets, wearables and laptops. This product line also includes legacy industrial and energy applications such as digital utility meters, power supplies, energy control, energy measurement and energy exploration.
Customers, Marketing, and Sales
We offer products worldwide through both direct and indirect sales channels. Our major customers are among the world’s leading electronics manufacturers. We target both large existing and emerging customers that derive value from our expertise in advanced analog and mixed-signal design processing, systems-level integrated circuit engineering and embedded software development. We derive our revenues from both domestic and international sales. Our domestic sales force includes direct sales offices located primarily in California and Texas. International sales offices and staff are located in Japan, People’s Republic of China, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. We supplement our direct sales force with external sales representatives and distributors. We have technical support centers in China, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Our worldwide sales force provides geographically specific support to our customers and specialized selling of product lines with unique customer bases. See Note 19-Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 for further detail and for additional disclosure regarding sales and property, plant and equipment, net, by geographic locations.
Since the components we produce are largely proprietary and generally not available from second sources, we generally consider our end customer to be the entity specifying the use of our component in their design. These end customers may then purchase our products directly from us, through distributors or third party manufacturers contracted to produce their designs. For fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, our ten largest end customers, represented approximately 93 percent, 93 percent, and 91 percent, of our sales, respectively. For fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, we had one end customer, Apple, Inc., who purchased through multiple contract manufacturers and represented approximately 83 percent, 79 percent, and 78 percent, of the Company’s total sales, respectively. No other customer or distributor represented more than 10 percent of net sales in fiscal years 2021, 2020, or 2019.
Manufacturing
As a fabless semiconductor company, we contract with third parties for wafer fabrication and product assembly and test. We use a variety of foundries in the production of wafers, primarily supplied by TSMC and GLOBALFOUNDRIES. The Company’s primary assembly and test houses include Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc., STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd, Amkor Technology Inc., and SFA Semicon Co., Ltd. Our outsourced manufacturing strategy allows us to concentrate on our design strengths and minimize fixed costs and capital expenditures while giving us access to advanced manufacturing facilities. It also provides the flexibility to source multiple leading-edge technologies through strategic relationships. After wafer fabrication by the foundry, third-party assembly vendors package the wafer die. The finished products are then tested before shipment to our customers. While we do have some redundancy of fabrication processes by using multiple outside foundries, any interruption of supply by one or more of these foundries could materially impact the Company. As a result, we maintain some amount of business interruption insurance to help reduce the risk of wafer supply interruption, but we are not fully insured against such risk. Our supply chain management organization is responsible for the management of all aspects of the manufacturing, assembly, and testing of our products, including process and package development, test program development, and production testing of products in accordance with our ISO-certified quality management system.
Although our products are made from basic materials (principally silicon, metals and plastics), all of which are available from a number of suppliers, capacity at wafer foundries sometimes becomes constrained. The limited availability of certain materials may impact our suppliers’ ability to meet our demand needs or impact the price we are charged. The prices of certain other basic materials, such as metals, gases and chemicals used in the production of circuits can increase as demand grows for these basic commodities. In most cases, we do not procure these materials ourselves; nevertheless, we are reliant on such
materials for producing our products because our outside foundry and package and test subcontractors must procure them. To help mitigate risks associated with constrained capacity, we use multiple foundries, assembly and test sources.
Patents, Licenses and Trademarks
We rely on patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws to protect our intellectual property, products, and technology. As of March 27, 2021, we held approximately 3,670 pending and issued patents worldwide, which include approximately 1,280 granted U.S. patents, 430 U.S. pending patent applications and various international patents and applications. Our U.S. patents expire in calendar years 2021 through 2040. While our patents are an important element of our success, our business as a whole is not dependent on any one patent or group of patents. We do not anticipate any material effect on our business due to any patents expiring in 2021, and we continue to obtain new patents through our ongoing research and development.
We have maintained U.S. federal trademark registrations for CIRRUS LOGIC, CIRRUS, Cirrus Logic logo designs, and SoundClear, among others. These U.S. registrations may be renewed as long as the marks continue to be used in interstate commerce. We have also filed or obtained foreign registration for these marks in other countries or jurisdictions where we conduct, or anticipate conducting, international business. To complement our own research and development efforts, we have also licensed and expect to continue to license, a variety of intellectual property and technologies important to our business from third parties.
Segments
We determine our operating segments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidelines. Our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) has been identified as the chief operating decision maker as defined by these guidelines.
The Company operates and tracks its results in one reportable segment, but reports revenue performance in two product lines: Audio and High-Performance Mixed-Signal, compared to Portable and Non-Portable and Other in prior periods (discussed above). Our CEO receives and uses enterprise-wide financial information to assess financial performance and allocate resources, rather than detailed information at a product line level. Additionally, our product lines have similar characteristics and customers. They share operations support functions such as sales, public relations, supply chain management, various research and development and engineering support, in addition to the general and administrative functions of human resources, legal, finance and information technology. Therefore, there is no discrete financial information maintained for these product lines.
See Note 9 - Revenues of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 for further details including sales by product line. See Note 19 - Segment Information, for details on sales and property, plant and equipment, net, by geographic locations.
Research and Development
We concentrate our research and development efforts on the design and development of new products for each of our principal markets. We also fund certain advanced-process technology development, as well as other emerging product opportunities. Our future success is highly dependent upon our ability to develop complex new products, transfer new products to volume production, introduce them into the marketplace in a timely fashion, and have them selected for design into products of systems manufacturers. Our future success may also depend on assisting our customers with integration of our components into their new products, including providing support from the concept stage through design, launch and production ramp.
Competition
Markets for our products are highly competitive and we expect that competition will continue to increase. Our ability to compete effectively and to expand our business will depend on our ability to continue to recruit key engineering talent, execute on new product developments, partner with customers to include these new products into their applications, and provide cost efficient versions of existing products. We compete with other semiconductor suppliers that offer standard semiconductors, application-specific standard products and fully customized ICs, including embedded software, chip and board-level products.
While no single company competes with us in all of our product lines, we face significant competition in all markets where our products are available. Cirrus Logic is a leading supplier of audio and high-performance mixed-signal processing solutions including codecs, smart codecs, boosted amplifiers, haptic and sensing solutions, and camera controllers. We expect to face additional competition from new entrants in our markets, which may include both large domestic and international IC manufacturers and smaller, emerging companies. Our primary competitors include, but are not limited to AKM Semiconductor Inc., Analog Devices Inc., Bestechnic (Shanghai) Co., Dialog Semiconductor PLC, DSP Group, Goodix Technology, Maxim Integrated Products Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Realtek Semiconductor Corporation, Shanghai Awinic Technology Co., Ltd., Skyworks Solutions Inc., ST Microelectronics N.V., Synaptics Incorporated and Texas Instruments, Inc.
The principal competitive factors in our markets include: time to market; quality of hardware/software design and end-market systems expertise; price; product performance, features, quality and compatibility with standards; access to advanced process and packaging technologies at competitive prices; and sales and technical support, which includes assisting our customers with integration of our components into their new products and providing support from the concept stage through design, launch and production ramp.
Product life cycles may vary greatly by product category. For example, many consumer products have shorter design-in cycles; therefore, our competitors have increasingly frequent opportunities to achieve design wins in next-generation systems. Conversely, this also provides us frequent opportunities to displace competitors in products that have previously not utilized our design.
Backlog
Sales are made primarily pursuant to short-term purchase orders for delivery of products. The quantity actually ordered by the customer, as well as the shipment schedules, are frequently revised, without significant penalty, to reflect changes in the customer’s needs. The majority of our backlog is typically requested for delivery within six months. In markets where the end system life cycles are relatively short, customers typically request delivery in six to twelve weeks. We believe a backlog analysis at any given time gives little indication of our future business except on a short-term basis, principally within the next 60 days.
We utilize backlog as an indicator to assist us in production planning. However, backlog is influenced by several factors including market demand, pricing, and customer order patterns in reaction to product lead times. Quantities actually purchased by customers, as well as prices, are subject to variations between booking and delivery because of changes in customer needs or industry conditions. As a result, we believe that our backlog at any given time is an incomplete indicator of future sales.
Governmental Regulations
Our business and operations around the world are subject to government regulation at the national, state or local level addressing, among other matters, applicable environmental laws, health and safety laws and regulations, and laws relating to export controls and economic sanctions.
We believe that our properties and operations comply in all material respects with applicable laws protecting the environment and worker health and safety. As a fabless semiconductor company, we do not manufacture our own products but do maintain research and laboratory space at certain of our facilities to facilitate the development, evaluation and testing of our products. These laboratories may maintain small quantities of hazardous materials. While we believe we are in material compliance with applicable law concerning the safeguarding of these materials and with respect to other matters relating to health, safety and the environment, the risk of liability relating to hazardous conditions or materials cannot be eliminated completely. To date, we have not incurred significant expenditures relating to environmental compliance at our facilities nor have we experienced any material issues relating to employee health and safety.
In addition to environmental and worker health and safety laws, our business is subject to various rules and regulations and executive orders relating to export controls and trade sanctions. Certain of our products are subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which are administered by the United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS"), and we may from time to time be required to obtain an export license before we can export certain products or technology to specified countries or customers. In addition, the EAR imposes broad controls on entities listed on sanctioned persons lists, including the BIS Entity List. If one of our customers is listed on the BIS Entity List or another U.S. government sanctioned persons' list, we may be precluded from doing business with that customer. For example, certain of our Chinese customers, or their affiliated entities, have been added to the BIS Entity List in the last couple of years, which limits our ability to support these customers. We cannot guarantee that export control restrictions or sanctions imposed in the future will not prevent, or materially limit, our ability to conduct business with certain customers or in certain countries. Any failure to comply with these laws could result in governmental enforcement actions, including substantial monetary penalties and denial of export privileges.
For further discussion relating to the potential effects that compliance with government regulation may have upon our business, refer to "Item 1A. Risk Factors."
Human Capital
Our long-term success depends, in part, on our ability to continue to attract and retain highly qualified technical, marketing, engineering, and administrative personnel. Cirrus Logic’s goal, as it pertains to our employees, is to foster an outstanding corporate culture that encourages innovation, teamwork, and individual growth. We do this by creating programs and practices that motivate and reward our employees while helping their families thrive. We center everything we do around our corporate vision, mission and core values. The Company strives to cultivate an inclusive workplace where all employees
feel they belong, diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued, and everyone has an opportunity to succeed. We have adopted strategies to create an even more inclusive and positive work environment.
We believe that we offer competitive compensation, training programs, and health and wellness benefits, designed to improve the quality of our employees’ lives, build long-term employee loyalty and attract top talent. Cirrus Logic prides itself on maintaining a world-class employee training and professional development program to maximize our employees’ success. Our comprehensive benefits, such as health insurance coverage and emotional well-being support are tailored for each country. Additional benefits focus on family care, including fertility coverage, paid parental leave, discounts for childcare, backup care and programs for new mothers. The Company also provides fitness facilities and classes at several locations, as well as other employee benefits including health screenings, flu shots, ergonomic assessments and pet insurance. Cirrus Logic provides retirement planning programs with matching contributions, such as a 401(k) plan in the United States and defined contribution pension plans for our employees in other countries.
We believe that these benefits, combined with our corporate culture, contribute to low voluntary employee turnover. In fiscal year 2021, our voluntary turnover rate was 6 percent, below the technology industry benchmarks (2020 Radford Salary Increase and Turnover Study).
As of March 27, 2021, we had 1,481 full-time employees, of whom 69 percent were engaged in research and product development activities, 26 percent in sales, marketing, general and administrative activities, and 5 percent in manufacturing-related activities. As of March 27, 2021, 13 percent of our employees worldwide were foreign nationals and 63 percent of our total workforce reside in the U.S., with 37 percent residing offshore. We also employ individuals on a temporary basis and use the services of contractors as necessary. We have never had a work stoppage and the majority of our employees are not represented by collective bargaining agreements.
Cirrus Logic is committed to promoting a safe, secure and productive environment for our employees, customers, and visitors. Our global health and safety policy outlines our commitment to employees. Employees working in our research facilities receive specialized, role-specific health and safety training. The Company takes measures to reduce employee exposure to potential health hazards in our offices and research facilities and conducts regular inspections to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. A risk management system also provides technicians with additional data and information on the potential hazards associated with certain chemicals. In fiscal year 2021, we had no monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings associated with employee health and safety violations.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented a response plan that we believe was in the best interest of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate. This included transitioning the majority of our global workforce to a remote work model, while establishing preventative measures to ensure essential on-site employees could safely perform their jobs. Recognizing that the pandemic placed unanticipated demands on all our employees, we also launched initiatives to help people feel connected, and continued to support our local communities in a time of need.
For more information on the commitment to our employees and other Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") topics visit https://www.cirrus.com/company/esg. We are not including the information contained on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and certain information incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than statements that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “project,” “believe,” “goals,” “estimates,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “plan,” and “intend”, and other similar types of words and expressions. Variations of these types of words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to our plans, beliefs, expectations, strategies or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are predictions based on management's expectations as of the date of this filing and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report, as well as in the documents filed by us with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Form 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we undertake no obligation, and expressly disclaim any duty, to revise or update this information, whether as a result of new information, events or circumstances after the filing of this report with the SEC, except as required by law. We urge readers to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC that disclose risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and attributable to Cirrus Logic are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we may make or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Our business faces significant risks. The risk factors set forth below may not be the only risks that we face and there is a risk that we may have failed to identify all possible risk factors. Additional risks that we are not aware of yet or that currently are not material may adversely affect our business operations. You should read the following cautionary statements in conjunction with the factors discussed elsewhere in this and other Cirrus Logic filings with the SEC. These cautionary statements are intended to highlight certain factors that may affect the financial condition and results of operations of Cirrus Logic and are not meant to be an exhaustive discussion of risks that apply to companies such as ours.
Risks Related to Operating our Business
We are dependent on third-party manufacturing and supply chain relationships for all of our products. Our reliance on third-party foundries and suppliers involves certain risks that may result in increased costs, delays in meeting our customers’ demand, and loss of revenue.
We do not own or operate a semiconductor fabrication facility and do not have the resources to manufacture our products internally. We use third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test the vast majority of our products. As a result, we are subject to risks associated with these third parties, including:
▪insufficient capacity available to meet our demand;
▪inadequate manufacturing yields and excessive costs;
▪inability of these third parties to obtain an adequate supply of raw materials;
▪difficulties selecting and integrating new subcontractors;
▪limited warranties on products supplied to us;
▪potential increases in prices; and
▪increased exposure to potential misappropriation of our intellectual property.
Our outside foundries and assembly and test suppliers generally manufacture our products on a purchase order basis, and we have few long-term supply arrangements with these suppliers. Therefore, our third-party manufacturers and suppliers are not obligated to supply us with products for any specific period of time, quantity, or price, except as may be provided in any particular purchase order or in relation to an existing supply agreement. A manufacturing or supply disruption experienced by one or more of our outside suppliers or a disruption of our relationship with an outside foundry could negatively impact the production of certain of our products for a substantial period of time.
Like many others in the semiconductor industry, we have experienced the effects of industry-wide manufacturing capacity constraints. These supply challenges are currently limiting our ability to fully satisfy recent increases in demand for some of our general market products. We do not typically manufacture the majority of these products at more than one foundry or more than one assembly and test subcontractor, and the costs and effort associated with the potential transfer of any portion of our supply chain to a backup supplier would likely be substantial. Therefore, if one or more of our third-party manufacturers and suppliers are not able to provide us sufficient capacity to meet our current demand, we may not be able to ship our products to customers on time and in the quantity requested, which could cause an unanticipated decline in our sales and damage our existing customer relationships and our ability to establish new customer relationships. Capacity constraints could further result in increased prices in our supply chain, which, if we are unable to increase our selling price to our customers or if we have previously committed to pricing with them, could result in lower revenues and margins that could adversely affect our financial results.
In addition, difficulties associated with adapting our technology and product design to the proprietary process technology and design rules of outside foundries can lead to reduced yields of our products. Since low yields may result from either design or process technology failures, yield problems may not be effectively determined or resolved until an actual product exists that can be analyzed and tested to identify process sensitivities relating to the design rules that are used. As a result, yield problems may not be identified until well into the production process, and resolution of yield problems may require cooperation between our manufacturer and us. This risk could be compounded by the offshore location of certain of our manufacturers, increasing the effort and time required to identify, communicate and resolve manufacturing yield problems. Manufacturing defects that we
do not discover during the manufacturing or testing process may lead to costly product recalls. These risks may lead to increased costs or delayed product delivery, which would harm our profitability and customer relationships.
In some cases, our requirements may represent a small portion of the total production of the third-party suppliers. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a producer will cease production of an older or lower-volume process that it uses to produce our parts. We cannot provide any assurance that our external foundries will continue to devote resources to the production of parts for our products or continue to advance the process design technologies on which the manufacturing of our products are based. Each of these events could increase our costs, lower our gross margin, and cause us to hold more inventories, or materially impact our ability to deliver our products on time.
We depend on a limited number of customers and distributors for a substantial portion of our sales, and the loss of, or a significant reduction in orders from, or pricing on products sold to, any key customer or distributor could significantly reduce our sales and our profitability.
While we generate sales from a broad base of customers worldwide, the loss of any of our key customers, or a significant reduction in sales or selling prices to any key customer, or reductions in selling prices made to retain key customer relationships, would significantly reduce our revenue, margins and earnings and adversely affect our business. For the twelve-month periods ending March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019, our ten largest end customers represented approximately 93 percent, 93 percent, and 91 percent of our sales, respectively. For the twelve-month periods ending March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019, we had one end customer, Apple Inc., who purchased through multiple contract manufacturers and represented approximately 83 percent, 79 percent and 78 percent of the Company’s total sales, respectively.
We may not be able to maintain or increase sales to certain of our key customers for a variety of reasons, including the following:
▪most of our customers can stop incorporating our products into their own products with limited notice to us and suffer little or no penalty;
▪our agreements with our customers typically do not require them to purchase a minimum quantity of our products;
▪many of our customers have pre-existing or concurrent relationships with our current or potential competitors that may affect the customers’ decisions to purchase our products;
▪many of our customers have sufficient resources to internally develop technology solutions and semiconductor components that could replace the products that we currently supply in our customers’ end products;
▪our customers face intense competition from other manufacturers that do not use our products; and
▪our customers regularly evaluate alternative sources of supply in order to diversify their supplier base, which increases their negotiating leverage with us and their ability to either obtain or dual source components from other suppliers.
In addition, our dependence on a limited number of key customers may make it easier for them to pressure us on price reductions. We have experienced pricing pressure from certain key customers and we expect that the average selling prices for certain of our products will decline from time to time, potentially reducing our revenue, our margins and our earnings.
Our key customer relationships often require us to develop new products that may involve significant technological challenges. Our customers frequently place considerable pressure on us to meet their tight development schedules. In addition, we have, and may again in the future, enter into customer agreements providing for exclusivity periods during which we may only sell specified products or technology to a specific customer. Even without exclusivity periods, the products that we develop are often specific to our customer's system architecture and frequently cannot be sold to other customers. Accordingly, we may have to devote a substantial amount of resources to strategic relationships, which could detract from or delay our completion of other important development projects or the development of next generation products and technologies.
Moreover, our reliance on certain customers may continue to increase, which could heighten the risks associated with having key customers, including making us more vulnerable to significant reductions in revenue, margins and earnings, pricing pressure, and other adverse effects on our business.
Our lack of diversification in our revenue and customer base increases the risk of an investment in our company, and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and stock price may deteriorate if we fail to diversify.
Although we continue to investigate, invest in, and try to develop opportunities to diversify our revenue and customer base, our sales, marketing, and development efforts have historically been focused on a limited number of customers and opportunities. Larger companies have the ability to manage their risk by product, market, and customer diversification. However, we lack diversification, in terms of both the nature and scope of our business, which increases the risk of an
investment in our company. If we cannot diversify our customer and revenue opportunities, our financial condition and results of operations could deteriorate.
Our results may be affected by fluctuation in sales in the consumer electronics and smartphone markets.
Because we sell products primarily in the consumer electronics and smartphone markets, we are likely to be affected by any decrease in demand or unit volumes, seasonality in the sales of our products, and the cyclical nature of these markets. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, slowing growth in a maturing smartphone market, due to, among other factors, market saturation in developed countries, lengthening replacement cycles, and a growing market for refurbished devices. Further, a decline in consumer confidence and consumer spending relating to economic conditions, terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, oil prices, global health conditions, natural disasters, and/or the political stability of countries in which we operate or sell products could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We may be adversely impacted by global economic conditions. As a result, our financial results and the market price of our common shares may decline.
Global economic conditions could make it difficult for our customers, our suppliers, and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities, and could cause global businesses to defer or reduce spending on our products, or increase the costs of manufacturing our products. During challenging economic times our customers and distributors may face issues gaining timely access to sufficient credit, which could impact their ability to make timely payments to us. If that were to occur, we may be required to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts and our days sales outstanding would increase. Additionally, if our own supply chain or others from whom our customers source are financially impacted and ultimately unable to deliver their required component(s), then our customers may delay or cancel their orders from us.
We cannot predict the timing, strength, or duration of any economic slowdown or subsequent economic recovery. If the economy or markets in which we operate were to deteriorate, our business, financial condition, and results of operations will likely be materially and/or adversely affected.
Changes in government trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and export restrictions, could have an adverse impact on our business operations and sales.
The United States or foreign governments may enact changes in government trade policies that could adversely impact our ability to sell products in certain countries, particularly in China. For example, the U.S. government has imposed tariffs on certain Chinese imports and, in return, the Chinese government has imposed or proposed tariffs on certain U.S. products. Additionally, export restrictions imposed by the U.S. government, including the addition of licensing requirements by the BIS through the addition of companies to the BIS Entity List, may require us to suspend our business with certain international customers if we conclude or are notified by the U.S. government that such business presents a risk of noncompliance with U.S. regulations. We cannot predict what actions may ultimately be taken with respect to tariffs or trade relations between certain countries, what products may be subject to such actions, or what actions may be taken by other countries in response. It also may not be possible to anticipate the timing or duration of such tariffs, export restrictions, or other regulatory actions. These government trade policies may materially adversely affect our sales and operations with current customers as well as impede our ability to develop relationships with new customers.
While we have received a license from the U.S. to sell to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Huawei"), it is limited to specific products and end customer uses and there is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain a license for the manufacture or sale of future products or for other entities if the U.S government adds other companies to the BIS Entity List and/or subjects them to additional trade restrictions. Despite our receipt of licenses, BIS Entity List restrictions may also encourage Huawei or other foreign customers to seek to obtain a greater supply of similar or substitute products from our competitors that are not subject to these restrictions or to develop their own solutions, especially as the Chinese government invests in developing its domestic semiconductor industry. This decreases our long-term competitiveness as a supplier to Chinese customers.
There is a risk of further escalation and retaliatory actions between the U.S. and other foreign governments. If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed on goods exported from China or any related counter-measures are taken, our revenue and results of operations may be materially harmed. These tariffs may also make our customers' products more expensive for consumers, which may reduce consumer demand.
There is also a risk that the U.S. government may seek to implement more protective trade measures, not just with respect to China but with respect to other countries as well. This could include new or higher tariffs and even more restrictive trade barriers, such as prohibiting certain types of, or all sales of certain products or products sold by certain parties into the U.S. Any increased trade barriers or restrictions on global trade could have a materially adverse impact on our business and financial results.
System security risks, data protection breaches, cyber-attacks and other related cyber security issues could disrupt our internal operations and/or supply chain, and any such disruption could increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.
Security measures at Cirrus Logic and/or within our manufacturing and supply chain are subject to third-party security breaches, employee error, malfeasance, faulty password management, and other irregularities. We manage and store various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our business. In addition, we manage and store a significant amount of proprietary and sensitive or confidential information from third parties, such as our customers. Unauthorized insiders and/or third-party hackers (including organized crime and/or foreign government agents) may be able to penetrate our security controls and misappropriate or compromise such confidential information, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, phishing attempts, ransomware and other malicious software programs that attack our websites, computer systems, access to critical information, products or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities. This risk may be heightened when our employees are working remotely.
For example, we became aware that one of our vendors providing IT infrastructure management software, SolarWinds Corporation, had been compromised by cyberattacks. Although we have not identified any compromise of our IT systems due to the use of SolarWinds software to date, we continue to monitor our network for any potential impact related to the SolarWinds cyberattack. Any breach of our security measures or the loss, inadvertent disclosure or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential data about us or our customers, including the potential loss or disclosure of such information or data as a result of the SolarWinds cyberattack, could result in litigation and potential liability for us, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business.
Any breach of our security measures or the loss, inadvertent disclosure or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential data about us or our customers, including the potential loss or disclosure of such information or data as a result of ransomware, fraud, trickery or other forms of deception, could result in litigation and potential liability for us, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business.
Our sales could be materially impacted by the failure of other component suppliers to deliver required parts needed in the final assembly of our customers’ end products.
The products we supply our customers are typically a portion of the many components provided from multiple suppliers in order to complete the final assembly of an end product. If one or more of these other component suppliers are unable to deliver their required component(s) in order for the final end product to be assembled, our customers may delay, or ultimately cancel, their orders from us.
We face risks related to global health epidemics that could impact our sales, supply chain and operations, resulting in significantly reduced revenue and operating results.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic related to a novel coronavirus, commonly referred to as COVID-19. With the pandemic on-going, we are unable to predict the full extent and nature of the impact that COVID-19 may have on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic will likely heighten or exacerbate many of the other risks described in the risk factors listed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although we did not experience any significant disruptions to our supply chain due to COVID-19 in fiscal year 2021, any increase in the severity of the outbreak or additional government measures restricting movement or business operations, could cause a disruption to our supply of products to our customers - particularly with respect to the manufacture of semiconductor wafers that would have to go through extensive qualification to relocate manufacturing to a different fabrication facility. Even if our suppliers and service providers are operational, other third-party suppliers may be closed or not fully operational, resulting in a shortage of some components needed for our products or our customers’ end products. Any disruption of our suppliers or customers and their contract manufacturers would likely impact our inventory, backlog, sales and operating results, as customers may cancel or reschedule orders on short notice. In addition, we have seen some reductions in commercial airline and cargo flights, and disruption to ports and other shipping infrastructure that resulted in increased transport times and costs, which, if those disruptions were to intensify, could affect our ability to timely deliver our products.
Although we did not experience a significant reduction in our overall productivity due to COVID-19 during fiscal year 2021, we have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, disruptions to our business operations, including those resulting from remote work arrangements for the majority of our employees, the implementation of certain measures at our facilities worldwide to protect our employees’ health and safety, government stay-at-home directives, quarantines, self-isolations, travel restrictions, or other restrictions on the ability of our employees to perform their jobs that may impact our ability to develop and design our products in a timely manner, meet required milestones, or win new business. Any increased or additional disruptions to our business operations would likely impact our ability to continue to maintain current levels of productivity.
In the longer term, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to continue to adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, leading to a global economic downturn and potentially a recession. This would also likely continue to adversely affect the demand environment for our products and those of our customers, particularly consumer products such as smartphones, which may, in turn, negatively affect our revenue and operating results.
We are subject to risks relating to product concentration.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of products, and we expect these products to represent a large percentage of our revenues in the near term. Customer acceptance of these products is critical to our future success. Our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows could therefore be adversely affected by:
▪a decline in demand for any of our more significant products;
▪a decline in the average selling prices of our more significant products;
▪failure of our products to achieve continued market acceptance;
▪competitive products;
▪new technological standards or changes to existing standards that we are unable to address with our products;
▪manufacturing or supply issues that prevent us from meeting our customers’ demand for these products;
▪a failure to release new products or enhanced versions of our existing products on a timely basis; and
▪the failure of our new products to achieve market acceptance.
In general, our customers may cancel or reschedule orders on short notice without incurring significant penalties; therefore, our sales and operating results in any quarter are difficult to forecast.
In general, we rely on customers issuing purchase orders to buy our products rather than long-term supply contracts. Customers may cancel or reschedule orders on short notice without incurring significant penalties. This risk is potentially heightened for those customers with whom we have less experience regarding the reliability of their forecasts. Therefore, cancellations, reductions, or delays of orders from any significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, a significant portion of our sales and earnings in any quarter depends upon customer orders for our products that we receive and fulfill in that quarter. Because our expense levels are based in part on our expectations as to future revenue and to a large extent are fixed in the short term, we likely will be unable to adjust spending on a timely basis to compensate for any unexpected shortfall in sales or reductions in average selling prices. Accordingly, any significant shortfall of sales in relation to our expectations could hurt our operating results.
Strong competition in the semiconductor market may harm our business.
The IC industry is intensely competitive and is frequently characterized by rapid technological change, price erosion, technological obsolescence, and a push towards IC component integration. Because of shortened product life cycles and even shorter design-in cycles in a number of the markets that we serve, our competitors have increasingly frequent opportunities to achieve design wins in next-generation systems. As markets mature and components become commoditized, competitors that can tolerate lower margins/operating income pose a risk to our profitability and growth. In the event that competitors succeed in supplanting our products, our market share may not be sustainable and our net sales, gross margin and operating results would be adversely affected.
We compete in a number of markets. Our principal competitors in these markets include AKM Semiconductor Inc., Analog Devices Inc., Bestechnic (Shanghai) Co., Dialog Semiconductor PLC, DSP Group, Goodix Technology, Maxim Integrated Products Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Realtek Semiconductor Corporation, Shanghai Awinic Technology Co., Ltd., Skyworks Solutions Inc., ST Microelectronics N.V. and Texas Instruments, Inc. Many of these competitors have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, technical, distribution, and other resources; broader product lines; and broader intellectual property portfolios. We also expect intensified competition from emerging companies and from customers who develop their own IC products or other technologies. In addition, some of our current and future competitors maintain their own fabrication facilities, which could benefit them in connection with cost, capacity, and technical issues.
Increased competition could adversely affect our business. We cannot provide assurances that we will be able to compete successfully in the future or that competitive pressures will not adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Competitive pressures could reduce market acceptance of our products and result in price reductions and increases in expenses that could adversely affect our business and our financial condition.
We have significant international sales, and risks associated with these sales could harm our operating results.
International sales represented 98 percent of our net sales in each of fiscal years 2021 and 2019, and 99 percent of our net sales in fiscal year 2020. We expect international sales to continue to represent a significant portion of product sales. This reliance on international sales subjects us to the risks of conducting business internationally, including risks associated with political and economic instability, global health conditions, currency controls, exchange rate fluctuations and changes in import/export regulations, and tariff and freight rates. For example, the political or economic instability in a given region may have an adverse impact on the financial position of end users in the region, which could affect future orders and harm our results of operations. Our international sales operations involve a number of other risks including, but not limited to:
▪unexpected changes in government regulatory requirements;
▪sales, VAT, or other indirect tax regulations and treaties and potential changes in regulations and treaties in the United States and in and between countries in which we manufacture or sell our products;
▪changes to countries’ banking and credit requirements;
▪changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;
▪delays resulting from difficulties in obtaining export licenses for technology, particularly in China;
▪any changes in U.S. trade policy, including potential adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, higher tariffs, or cross border taxation by the U.S. government involving other countries, particularly China, that might impact overall customer demand for our products or affect our ability to manufacture and/or sell our products overseas;
▪tariffs and other barriers and restrictions, particularly in China;
▪competition with non-U.S. companies or other domestic companies entering the non-U.S. markets in which we operate;
▪longer sales and payment cycles;
▪problems in collecting accounts receivable;
▪changes to economic, social, or political conditions in countries such as China, where we have significant operations; and
▪the burdens of complying with a variety of non-U.S. laws.
In addition, our competitive position may be affected by the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. While our sales are predominately denominated in U.S. dollars, increases in the value of the dollar would increase the price in local currencies of our products in non-U.S. markets and make our products relatively more expensive. We cannot provide assurances that regulatory, political and other factors will not adversely affect our operations in the future or require us to modify our current business practices.
Because we depend on subcontractors internationally to perform key manufacturing functions for us, we are subject to political, economic, climate and natural disaster risks that could disrupt the fabrication, assembly, packaging, or testing of our products.
We depend on third-party subcontractors, primarily in Asia, for the fabrication, assembly, packaging, and testing of most of our products. International operations may be subject to a variety of risks, including political instability, global health conditions, currency controls, exchange rate fluctuations, changes in import/export regulations, tariff and freight rates, as well as the risks of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. The potential physical impacts of climate change, including high heat events, power or water shortages, fires, rising sea levels, changes in storm patterns or intensities, or other extreme weather conditions, are uncertain and could impact operations at our subcontractors. Any disruption to our manufacturing cycle could adversely affect our operations and financial results.
Although we seek to reduce our dependence on any one subcontractor, this concentration of subcontractors and manufacturing operations in Asia subjects us to the risks of conducting business internationally, including associated political and economic conditions. If we experience manufacturing problems at a particular location, or a supplier is unable to continue operating due to financial difficulties, natural disasters, or other reasons, we would be required to transfer manufacturing to a backup supplier. The substantial majority of our semiconductor wafers are manufactured by TSMC at fabs in Taiwan, and Global Foundries in Singapore and Germany. Converting or transferring manufacturing from a primary supplier to a backup facility could be expensive and time consuming. As a result, delays in our production or shipping by the parties to whom we outsource these functions could reduce our sales, damage our customer relationships, and damage our reputation in the marketplace, any of which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our international operations subject our business to additional political and economic risks that could have an adverse impact on our business.
In addition to international sales constituting a large portion of our net sales, we maintain international operations, sales, and technical support personnel. International expansion has required, and will continue to require, significant management attention and resources. There are risks inherent in expanding our presence into non-U.S. regions, including, but not limited to:
▪difficulties in staffing and managing non-U.S. operations;
▪failure in non-U.S. regions to adequately protect our intellectual property, patent, trademarks, copyrights, know-how, and other proprietary rights;
▪global health conditions and potential natural disasters, including those resulting from climate change;
▪political and economic instability in international regions;
▪international currency controls and exchange rate fluctuations;
▪vulnerability to terrorist groups targeting American interests abroad; and
▪legal uncertainty regarding liability and compliance with non-U.S. laws and regulatory requirements.
If we are unable to successfully manage the demands of our international operations, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The United Kingdom (U.K.) formally left the E.U. on January 31, 2020. During the ensuing “transition period,” which ended on December 31, 2020, an agreement on the key terms of the U.K.’s withdrawal and its future relationship with the E.U. (the “Trade and Cooperation Agreement”), was negotiated and agreed by the U.K. and E.U. Council (acting on behalf of the E.U. nation governments), thus avoiding a “no-deal” outcome. The terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement were provisionally in effect since January 1, 2021, and formally entered into force on 1 May 2021 following ratification by both sides. However, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement does not cover all aspects of the ongoing relationship between the U.K. and E.U. member states. The ongoing nature of the separation process, coupled with the potential for new laws in the U.K., greater restrictions on immigration between the U.K. and E.U. countries that make it more difficult to staff our U.K. operations, changes in tax laws that may negatively impact our effective tax rate, restrictions on imports and exports between the U.K. and E.U. member states, and increased regulatory complexities may adversely affect our operations and financial results.
Our products may be subject to average selling prices that decline over time. If we are unable to maintain average selling prices for existing products, increase our volumes, introduce new or enhanced products with higher selling prices, or reduce our costs, our business and operating results could be harmed.
Historically in the semiconductor industry, average selling prices of products have decreased over time. Moreover, our dependence on a limited number of key customers may make it easier for key customers to pressure us to reduce the prices of the products we sell to them. If the average selling price of any of our products declines and we are unable to increase our unit volumes, introduce new or enhanced products with higher margins, and/or reduce manufacturing costs to offset anticipated decreases in the prices of our existing products, our operating results may be adversely affected. In addition, because of procurement lead times, we are limited in our ability to reduce total costs quickly in response to any reductions in prices or sales shortfalls. Because of these factors, we may experience material adverse fluctuations in our future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis.
If we fail to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to develop, market, or sell our products or successfully manage our business.
Competition for highly qualified personnel in our industry, particularly for employees with technical backgrounds, is intense. The number of technology companies in the geographic areas in which we operate is greater than it has been historically and we expect competition for qualified personnel to intensify because there is only a limited number of individuals in the job market with the requisite skills.
In addition, there is a risk that changes in immigration laws and regulations, or the administration or enforcement of such laws or regulations, can also impair our ability to attract and retain qualified engineering personnel. In the United States, where the majority of our research and development teams are located, future tightening of immigration controls may adversely affect the employment status of non-U.S. engineers and other key technical employees or further impact our ability to hire new non-U.S. employees. Moreover, certain immigration policies in the United States may make it more difficult for us to recruit and retain highly skilled foreign national graduates of universities in the United States, additionally limiting the pool of available talent. In the U.K., where we maintain several design centers, changes to the immigration system brought about by Brexit will likely make it more difficult to employ E.U. nationals to work in the U.K., also limiting our ability to attract and retain qualified technical personnel.
There are significant costs to the Company associated with attracting and retaining qualified personnel in key technology positions. The loss of the services of key personnel or our inability to hire new personnel with the requisite skills or to assimilate talent could restrict our ability to develop new products or enhance existing products in a timely manner, sell products to our customers, or manage our business effectively.
We may acquire other companies or technologies, which may create additional risks associated with our ability to successfully integrate them into our business.
We continue to consider future acquisitions of other companies, or their technologies or products, to improve our market position, broaden our technological capabilities, and expand our product offerings. If we are able to acquire companies, products or technologies that would enhance our business, we could experience difficulties in integrating them. Integrating acquired businesses involves a number of risks, including, but not limited to:
▪the potential disruption of our ongoing business;
▪unexpected costs or incurring unknown liabilities;
▪the diversion of management resources from other strategic and operational issues;
▪the inability to retain the employees of the acquired businesses;
▪difficulties relating to integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses;
▪adverse effects on our existing customer relationships or the existing customer relationships of acquired businesses;
▪the potential incompatibility of the acquired business or their business customers;
▪adverse effects associated with entering into markets and acquiring technologies in areas in which we have little experience; and
▪acquired intangible assets, including goodwill, becoming impaired as a result of technological advancements or worse-than-expected performance of the acquired business.
If we are unable to successfully address any of these risks, our business could be harmed.
Risks Related to Research and Development and New Technologies
We have entered into joint development agreements, custom product arrangements, and strategic relationships with some of our largest customers. These arrangements subject us to a number of risks, and any failure to execute on any of these arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We have entered into joint development, product collaboration and technology licensing arrangements with some of our largest customers, and we expect to enter into new strategic arrangements of these kinds from time to time in the future. Such arrangements can magnify several risks for us, including loss of control over the development and development timeline of jointly developed products, risks associated with the ownership of the intellectual property that is developed pursuant to such arrangements, and increased risk that our joint development activities may result in products that are not commercially successful or that are not available in a timely fashion. In addition, any third party with whom we enter into a joint development, product collaboration or technology licensing arrangement may fail to commit sufficient resources to the project, change its policies or priorities or abandon or fail to perform its obligations related to such arrangement. In addition, we have previously and may in the future enter into customer product arrangements that provide for exclusivity periods during which we may only sell specified products or technologies to that particular customer. Any failure to timely develop commercially successful products through our joint development activities as a result of any of these and other challenges could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our failure to develop and ramp new products into production in a timely manner could harm our operating results.
Our success depends upon our ability to develop new products for new and existing customers, and to introduce these products in a timely and cost-effective manner. New product introductions involve significant investment of resources and potential risks. Delays in new product introductions or less-than-anticipated market acceptance of our new products are possible and would have an adverse effect on our sales and earnings. The development of new products is highly complex and, from time-to-time, we have experienced delays in developing and introducing these new products. Successful product development and introduction depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to:
▪proper new product definition;
▪timely completion of design and testing of new products;
▪assisting our customers with integration of our components into their new products, including providing support from the concept stage through design, launch and production ramp;
▪successfully developing and implementing the software necessary to integrate our products into our customers’ products;
▪achievement of acceptable manufacturing yields;
▪availability of wafer fabrication, assembly, and test capacity; and
▪market acceptance of our products and the products of our customers.
Both sales and/or margins may be materially affected if new product introductions are delayed, or if our products are not designed into successive generations of new or existing customers’ products. Our failure to develop and introduce new products successfully could harm our business and operating results.
In addition, difficulties associated with adapting our technology and product design to the proprietary process technology and design rules of outside foundries can lead to reduced yields of our products. Since low yields may result from either design or process technology failures, yield problems may not be effectively determined or resolved until an actual product exists that can be analyzed and tested to identify process sensitivities relating to the design rules that are used. As a result, yield problems may not be identified until well into the production process, and resolution of yield problems may require cooperation between our manufacturer and us. This risk could be compounded by the offshore location of certain of our manufacturers, increasing the effort and time required to identify, communicate and resolve manufacturing yield problems. Manufacturing defects that we do not discover during the manufacturing or testing process may lead to costly product recalls. These risks may lead to increased costs or delayed product delivery, which would harm our profitability and customer relationships.
We continue to invest in research and development efforts for several new markets. If we are unable to commercialize these technologies, our future results and profits could be negatively affected.
Our investments into new markets subjects us to additional risks. We may have limited or no experience in these markets, and our customers may not adopt our new offerings. These new offerings may present new and difficult challenges, including risks related to technology, customers, competitors, product cycles, customer demand, terms and conditions and other industry specific issues which could negatively affect our operating results. These developing products and market segments may not grow as significantly as projected, or at all, and we may not realize an adequate return on our investments or may be required to write-down the value of certain tangible and intangible assets.
Our products are increasingly complex and could contain defects, which could result in material costs to us.
Product development in the markets we serve is becoming more focused on the integration of multiple functions on individual devices. There is a general trend towards increasingly complex products, including software or firmware developed by Cirrus Logic and/or third parties. The greater integration of functions and complexity of operations of our products increases the risk that we or our customers or end users could discover latent defects or subtle faults after volumes of product have been shipped. Quality and reliability issues could result in material costs and other adverse consequences to us, including, but not limited to:
▪reduced margins;
▪damage to our reputation;
▪replacement costs for product warranty and support;
▪payments to our customers related to recall claims, or the delivery of product replacements as part of a recall claim, as a result of various industry or business practices, contractual requirements, or in order to maintain good customer relationships;
▪an adverse impact to our customer relationships by the occurrence of significant defects;
▪a delay in recognition or loss of revenues, loss of market share, or failure to achieve market acceptance;
▪writing off or reserving the value of inventory of such products; and
▪a diversion of the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts.
In addition, any defects or other problems with our products could result in financial losses or other damages to our customers who could seek damages from us for their losses. A product liability or warranty claim brought against us, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time consuming and costly to defend. In particular, the sale of systems and components that are incorporated into certain applications for the automotive industry involves a high degree of risk that such claims may be made.
While we believe that we are reasonably insured against some of these risks and that we have attempted to contractually limit our financial exposure with many of our customers, a warranty or product liability claim against us in excess of our available insurance coverage and established reserves, or a requirement that we participate in a customer product recall, could have material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Security vulnerabilities may exist in our products, which could expose us to significant costs and damage our business.
Our hardware and software products, including software tools deployed by our customers, may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. An attack could disrupt the proper functioning of our products, disrupt or cause errors in our customers' products, allow unauthorized access to our or our customers' proprietary information, or cause other destructive outcomes. A failure to prevent or mitigate such an attack could harm our business reputation, diminish our competitive position in the market, and expose us to significant expense and liability.
The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, phishing attempts, ransomware, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, an inability to access critical information, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our sales, manufacturing, distribution or other critical functions.
We frequently develop our products for the specific system architecture of our customers’ end products. If our customers were to change system architectures, develop competing technologies and integrated circuits, or incorporate some of the functionality of our products into other parts of the system, we risk the potential loss of revenue and reduced average selling prices.
Our customers, particularly in the portable market, could potentially transition to different audio architectures, develop their own competing technologies and integrated circuits, or integrate the functionality that our integrated circuits and software have historically provided into other components in their audio systems. In addition, some of the audio and voice functionality that we have historically provided could be performed outside of our customers’ end product. If our customers were to transition to these different system architectures, our results of operations could be adversely affected by the elimination of the need for our current technology and products, resulting in reduced average selling prices for our components and loss of revenue.
We may experience difficulties developing and transitioning to advanced manufacturing process technologies, which could materially adversely affect our results.
Our future success depends in part on our ability to transition our current development and production efforts to advanced manufacturing process technologies. We are currently making a significant investment to transition our products and intellectual property to next-generation circuit geometries, for example 22 nanometers. If we are unable to reliably model behaviors required for circuit design and product requirements, then our product development may be adversely impacted. To the extent that we do not timely develop or transition to smaller geometries, experience difficulties in shifting to smaller geometries, or have significant quality or reliability issues at these smaller geometries, our results could be materially adversely affected.
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights.
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents and to preserve our other intellectual property rights covering our products. We seek patent protection for those inventions and technologies for which we believe such protection is suitable and is likely to provide a competitive advantage to us. We also rely on trade secrets, proprietary technology, non-disclosure and other contractual terms, and technical measures to protect our technology and manufacturing knowledge. We actively work to foster continuing technological innovation to maintain and protect our competitive position. We cannot provide assurances that steps taken by us to protect our intellectual property will be adequate, that our competitors will not independently develop or design around our patents, or that our intellectual property will not be misappropriated. In addition, the laws of some non-U.S. countries may not protect our intellectual property as well as the laws of the United States.
Any of these events could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition. Policing infringement of our technology is difficult, and litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights. Any such litigation could be expensive, take significant time, and divert management’s attention.
Risks Related to our Financial Performance
Shifts in industry-wide capacity and our practice of ordering and purchasing our products based on sales forecasts may result in significant fluctuations in inventory and our quarterly and annual operating results.
We rely on independent foundries and assembly and test houses to manufacture our products. Our reliance on these third-party suppliers involves certain risks and uncertainties. For example, shifts in industry-wide capacity from shortages to oversupply, or from oversupply to shortages, may result in significant fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results. In addition, we may order wafers and build inventory in advance of receiving purchase orders from our customers. Because our industry is highly cyclical and is subject to significant downturns resulting from excess capacity, overproduction, reduced demand, order cancellations, or technological obsolescence, there is a risk that we will forecast inaccurately and produce excess inventories of particular products. In addition, if we experience supply constraints or manufacturing problems at a particular supplier, we could be required to switch suppliers or qualify additional suppliers. The substantial majority of our semiconductor wafers are manufactured at a limited number of fabrication facilities and, for a given product, the wafers are typically sourced at a single facility. Switching and/or qualifying additional suppliers could be an expensive process and take as long as six to twelve months to complete, which could result in material adverse fluctuations to our operating results.
We generally order our products through non-cancelable purchase orders from third-party foundries based on our sales forecasts, and our customers can generally cancel or reschedule orders they place with us without significant penalties. If we do not receive orders as anticipated by our forecasts, or our customers cancel orders that are placed, we may experience increased inventory levels.
Due to the product manufacturing cycle characteristic of IC manufacturing and the inherent imprecision in the accuracy of our customers’ forecasts, product inventories may not always correspond to product demand, leading to shortages or surpluses of certain products. As a result of such inventory imbalances, future inventory write-downs and charges to gross margin may occur due to lower of cost or market accounting, excess inventory, and inventory obsolescence.
We have historically experienced fluctuations in our operating results and expect these fluctuations to continue in future periods.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect our net sales, gross margin, and operating results. If our operating results fall below expectations of market analysts or investors, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. We are subject to business cycles and it is difficult to predict the timing, length, or volatility of these cycles. These business cycles may create pressure on our sales, gross margin, and/or operating results.
Factors that could cause fluctuations and materially and adversely affect our net sales, gross margin and/or operating results include, but are not limited to:
▪the volume and timing of orders received;
▪changes in the mix of our products sold;
▪market acceptance of our products and the products of our customers;
▪excess or obsolete inventory;
▪pricing pressures from competitors and key customers;
▪our ability to introduce new products on a timely basis;
▪the timing and extent of our research and development expenses;
▪the failure to anticipate changing customer product requirements;
▪disruption in the supply of wafers, assembly, or test services;
▪reduction of manufacturing yields;
▪certain production and other risks associated with using independent manufacturers, assembly houses, and testers; and
▪product obsolescence, price erosion, competitive developments, and other competitive factors.
Our stock price has been and is likely to continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock fluctuates significantly. This fluctuation has been or may be the result of numerous factors, including, but not limited to:
▪actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;
▪announcements concerning our business or those of our competitors, customers, or suppliers;
▪loss of a significant customer, or customers;
▪changes in financial estimates by securities analysts or our failure to perform as anticipated by the analysts;
▪news, commentary, and rumors emanating from the media relating to our customers, the industry, or us. These reports may be unrelated to the actual operating performance of the Company, and in some cases, may be potentially misleading or incorrect;
▪announcements regarding technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors;
▪announcements by us of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments;
▪announcements by us of significant divestitures or sale of certain assets or intellectual property;
▪litigation arising out of a wide variety of matters, including, among others, employment matters and intellectual property matters;
▪departure of key personnel;
▪a significant stockholder selling for any reason;
▪general conditions in the IC industry; and
▪general market conditions and interest rates.
We could be subject to changes in tax laws, the adoption of new U.S. or international tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities.
We are subject to taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, where a number of our subsidiaries are organized. Due to economic and political conditions, tax laws in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in tax laws or their interpretation, including in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. We are also subject to the examination of our tax returns and other tax matters by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States (the “IRS”) and other tax authorities and governmental bodies. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for taxes. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations. If our effective tax rates were to increase, particularly in the U.S. or the United Kingdom, or if the ultimate determination of taxes owed is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, our operating results, cash flows, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Significant judgment is required in the calculation of our tax provision and the resulting tax liabilities. Our estimates of future taxable income and the regional mix of this income can change as new information becomes available. Any such changes in our estimates or assumptions can significantly impact our tax provision in a given period.
Our foreign currency exposures may change over time as the level of activity in foreign markets grows and could have an adverse impact upon financial results.
As a global enterprise, we face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. Certain of our assets, including certain bank accounts, exist in non-U.S. dollar-denominated currencies, which are sensitive to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The non-U.S. dollar-denominated currencies are principally the British Pound Sterling. We also have a significant number of employees that are paid in foreign currency, the largest group being United Kingdom-based employees who are paid in British Pounds Sterling.
If the value of the U.S. dollar weakens relative to these specific currencies, the cost of doing business in terms of U.S. dollars rises. With the growth of our international business, our foreign currency exposures may grow and under certain circumstances, could harm our business.
If we do not hedge against these risks, or our attempts to hedge against these risks are not successful, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our debt obligations may be a burden on our future cash flows and cash resources.
On July 12, 2016, Cirrus Logic entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) which provides for a $300 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). As of March 27, 2021, the Company did not have an outstanding balance under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility matures on July 12, 2021. To the extent the Company has an outstanding balance, our ability to repay the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our business may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to satisfy our
obligations or to make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, or refinancing or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance any indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on the Credit Agreement.
Our Credit Agreement contains restrictions that could limit our flexibility in operating our business.
Our Credit Agreement contains various covenants that could limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions under certain conditions. These covenants could limit our ability to, among other things:
▪pay dividends on, repurchase or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or make other restricted payments;
▪incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;
▪make certain investments;
▪sell certain assets;
▪create liens;
▪consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; and
▪enter into certain transactions with our affiliates.
A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under the Credit Agreement. In the event of a default under the Credit Agreement, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. If our lenders accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we may not be able to repay our debt obligations. If we were unable to repay amounts due to the lenders under our credit facility, those lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We are subject to the export control regulations of the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Commerce. A violation of these export control regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business or our results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
The nature of our international business subjects us to the export control regulations of the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Commerce. Any changes regarding such regulations or U.S. trade policy more generally, including potential adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, particularly with respect to China, might impact overall customer demand for our products or affect our ability to manufacture and/or sell our products overseas. Although we currently have a license to provide certain products and support to Huawei, it is possible that the U.S. government may view some of our efforts as outside the scope of our license, particularly given the complex and dynamic nature of export control regulations. Violation of these export control regulations could result in monetary penalties and denial of export privileges. The U.S. government is very strict with respect to compliance and has served notice generally that failure to comply with these regulations may subject violators to fines and/or imprisonment. Although we are not aware of any material violation of any export control regulations, a failure to comply with any of these regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Potential intellectual property claims and litigation could subject us to significant liability for damages and could invalidate our proprietary rights.
The IC industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. We may find it necessary to initiate lawsuits to assert our patent or other intellectual property rights. These legal proceedings could be expensive, take significant time, and divert management’s attention. We cannot provide assurances that we will ultimately be successful in any lawsuit, nor can we provide assurances that any patent owned by us will not be invalidated, circumvented, or challenged. We cannot provide assurances that rights granted under our patents will provide competitive advantages to us, or that any of our pending or future patent applications will be issued with the scope of the claims sought by us, if at all.
As is typical in the IC industry, our customers and we have, from time to time, received and may in the future receive, communications from third parties asserting patents, mask work rights, or copyrights. In the event third parties were to make a valid intellectual property claim and a license was not available on commercially reasonable terms, our operating results could be harmed. Litigation, which could result in substantial cost to us and diversion of our management, technical and financial resources, may also be necessary to defend us against claimed infringement of the rights of others. An unfavorable outcome in any such litigation could have an adverse effect on our future operations and/or liquidity.
We have provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and are subject to certain provisions of Delaware law, which could prevent, delay or impede a change of control of our company. These provisions could affect the market price of our stock.
Certain provisions of Delaware law and of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if our stockholders support the acquisition. These provisions include, but are not limited to:
▪the inability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders;
▪a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent; and
▪a requirement that stockholders provide advance notice of any stockholder nominations of directors or any proposal of new business to be considered at any meeting of stockholders.
We are also subject to the anti-takeover laws of Delaware that may prevent, delay or impede a third party from acquiring or merging with us, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our Bylaws provide, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, a state court located within the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware, will be the exclusive forum for certain legal actions between the Company and its stockholders, which could increase costs to bring a claim, discourage claims, or limit the ability of the Company’s stockholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum viewed by the stockholders as more favorable for disputes with the Company or the Company’s directors, officers, or other employees.
Our Bylaws provide, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, a state court located within the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware, will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders; (c) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director, officer, or other employee of the Company pursuant to any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) or the Delaware General Corporation Law; and (d) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director, officer, or other employee of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
The forum selection provision may increase costs to bring a claim, discourage claims, or limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such stockholder finds favorable for disputes with the Company or the Company’s directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company or the Company’s directors, officers, and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the Company’s Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Company could incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions. The exclusive forum provision in the Bylaws will not preclude or decrease the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for actions brought under the federal securities laws including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933, or the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
General Risk Factors
Corporate social responsibility initiatives, specifically related to environmental, social and governance ("ESG") matters, may impose additional costs and expose us to emerging areas of risk.
Providing public disclosures regarding ESG matters, for example sustainability reporting, is becoming more broadly expected by investors, shareholders and other third parties. Certain organizations currently, and other organizations may in the future, use such disclosures to evaluate companies regarding ESG activities and publish scores or ratings based upon ESG or “sustainability” metrics. Potential and current investors may use the Company’s ESG ratings to guide their investment strategies and may decrease or withdraw investment, or alternatively increase investment in our competitors, if our ESG performance is perceived to be lagging. The qualitative and quantitative criteria regarding ESG may continue to evolve and we may incur additional costs to satisfy these expectations. We may communicate certain goals or initiatives regarding our ESG activities from time to time, and if we are unable to meet those goals or they are perceived to be inadequate, we could be exposed to reputational damage and other emerging areas of risk.
As we carry only limited insurance coverage, uninsured or under-insured losses could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our insurance policies may not be adequate to fully offset losses from covered incidents, and we do not have coverage for certain losses. For example, there is limited coverage available with respect to the services provided by our third-party
foundries and assembly and test subcontractors. Although we believe that our existing insurance coverage is consistent with common practices of companies in our industry, our insurance coverage may be inadequate to protect us against product recalls, natural disasters, cybersecurity and/or information security breaches, and other unforeseen catastrophes that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to the risks of owning real property.
We currently own our U.S. headquarters and research facility in Austin, Texas. The ownership of our U.S. properties subjects us to the risks of owning real property, which may include:
▪the possibility of environmental contamination and the costs associated with correcting any environmental problems;
▪adverse changes in the value of these properties, due to interest rate changes, changes in the neighborhood in which the property is located, or other factors; and
▪the risk of financial loss in excess of amounts covered by insurance, or uninsured risks, such as the loss caused by damage to the buildings as a result of fire, floods, or other natural disasters.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. Properties
As of March 27, 2021, our principal facilities are located in Austin, Texas and Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. The Austin facilities, which we own, consist of approximately 155,000 square feet of office space and are primarily occupied by research and development personnel and testing equipment. In addition, our failure analysis and reliability facility occupies approximately 27,000 square feet.
Additionally, we have various leased facilities in Austin, Texas, consisting of approximately 157,000 square feet. This includes approximately 151,000 square feet of leased space that houses a mixture of administrative personnel as well as research and development personnel.
In connection with a previous acquisition, we acquired a building located in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. This building consisted of approximately 50,000 square feet of office space. We sold the building in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 and recorded a $4.9 million gain on the sale. The gain is presented as a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income as “Gain on sale of assets”. Additionally, we lease approximately 110,000 square feet of office space and 27,000 square feet of high quality lab space in Edinburgh. See further details below in Results of Operation.
Below is a detailed schedule that identifies our principal locations of occupied leased and owned property as of March 27, 2021, with various lease terms through calendar year 2028. We believe that these facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our current operating needs.
Design Centers Sales Support Offices - International
Austin, Texas Hong Kong, China
Mesa, Arizona Shanghai, China
Salt Lake City, Utah Shenzhen, China
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom Tokyo, Japan
Newbury, England, United Kingdom Singapore
London, England, United Kingdom Seoul, South Korea
Taipei, Taiwan
See Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 for further detail.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities. We regularly evaluate the status of legal proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate. We further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of possible loss or range of loss can be made.
Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that there are any pending matters that could potentially have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, we are engaged in various legal actions in the normal course of business. While there can be no assurances in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in any potential legal proceedings, some of which are beyond our control, an adverse outcome in any legal proceeding could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ's Global Select Market under the symbol CRUS.
As of May 19, 2021, there were approximately 366 holders of record of our common stock.
The information under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the proxy statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 30, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”) is incorporated herein by reference.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid any dividends on our capital stock. We do not anticipate declaring or paying in the foreseeable future any dividends on our capital stock. Any future determination to pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, and other factors. Our future ability to pay dividends on our capital stock may be limited by the terms of any future debt that we may incur or any preferred securities that we may issue in the future.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table provides information about purchases of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the three months ended March 27, 2021 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Monthly Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
December 27, 2020 -
January 23, 2021 - $ - - $ -
January 24, 2021 -
February 20, 2021 283 88.29 283 380,015
February 21, 2021 -
March 27, 2021 235 85.26 235 360,015
Total 518 $ 86.92 518 $ 360,015
(1) The Company currently has two active share repurchase programs: the 2019 share repurchase program with a remaining $10.0 million available for repurchase as of March 27, 2021, and the $350 million share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in January 2021. The Company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its common stock for $45.0 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. All of these shares were repurchased in the open market and were funded from existing cash. All shares of our common stock that were repurchased were retired as of March 27, 2021. The repurchases are to be funded from existing cash and intended to be effected from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing of the repurchases and the actual amount purchased depend on a variety of factors including general market and economic conditions and other corporate considerations. The programs do not have an expiration date, do not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company's discretion.
Stock Price Performance Graph
The following graph and table show a comparison of the five-year cumulative total stockholder return, calculated on a dividend reinvestment basis, for Cirrus Logic, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index (the “S&P 500 Index”), and the Semiconductor Subgroup of the Standard & Poor’s Electronics Index (the “S&P 500 Semiconductors Index”).
3/26/2016 3/25/2017 3/31/2018 3/30/2019 3/28/2020 3/27/2021
Cirrus Logic, Inc. 100.00 174.24 117.87 122.05 179.63 240.81
S&P 500 Index 100.00 117.61 135.17 148.01 135.35 215.31
S&P 500 Semiconductors Index 100.00 138.09 190.71 199.92 209.31 375.65
(1)The graph assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock and in each index at the market close on March 26, 2016, and that all dividends were reinvested. No cash dividends were declared on our common stock during the periods presented.
(2)Stockholder returns over the indicated period should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.
The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K appearing under the heading “Stock Price Performance Graph” is being “furnished” pursuant to Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, other than as provided in Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
This item is no longer required as the Company has elected to early adopt the amendment to Regulation S-K that eliminates Item 301.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Please read the following discussion in conjunction with our audited historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results could differ materially because of the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K and elsewhere in this report, as well as in the documents filed by us with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements included in this report, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts. We evaluate the estimates on an on-going basis. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe 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 may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies involve significant judgments and estimates that are used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
▪We recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 for discussion on the identification of the Company's performance obligations and determination of transaction price, including treatment of rebates, right of returns, warranties, price protection and stock rotation.
▪Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. We write down inventories to net realizable value based on forecasted demand while taking into account product release schedules and product life cycles. We also review and write down inventory, as appropriate, based on the age and condition of the inventory. Actual demand and market conditions may be different from those projected by management, which could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8.
▪We evaluate the recoverability of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets by testing for impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. An impairment loss is recognized in the event the carrying value of these assets exceeds the fair value of the applicable assets. Impairment evaluations involve management estimates of asset useful lives and future cash flows. Actual useful lives and cash flows could be different from those estimated by management, which could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 7 - Intangibles, net and Goodwill of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8. See also Note 11 - Restructuring Costs for discussion of fiscal year 2021 and 2020 asset disposals related to the microelectromechanical systems ("MEMS") restructuring.
▪We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment. The Company tests goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. Impairment evaluations involve management’s assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired. If management concludes from its assessment of qualitative factors that it is more likely than not that impairment exists, then a quantitative impairment test will be performed involving management estimates of asset useful lives and future cash flows. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasts of future operating results that are used in these evaluations. Following the quantitative test, an impairment charge would be recorded for the amount the carrying value exceeds the calculated fair value. If our actual results, or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses, are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges in a future period. The Company has recorded no goodwill impairments in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019. There were no material other intangible asset impairments in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019.
▪We are subject to the possibility of loss contingencies for various legal matters. See Note 15 - Legal Matters of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether any accruals should be made based on the status of the case, the results of the discovery
process and other factors. If we ultimately determine that an accrual should be made for a legal matter, this accrual could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position and the ultimate outcome may be materially different than our estimate.
▪We report income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, which are measured using the enacted tax laws and tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We assess the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized, taking into consideration the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the temporary differences are deductible.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments and estimates are reasonable, the provision for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements could be significantly impacted by changes in tax laws, interpretations of tax laws, and the resolution of any tax audits. The calculation of our tax liabilities involves assessing uncertainties with respect to the application of complex tax rules. Uncertain tax positions must meet a more likely than not threshold to be recognized in the financial statements and the tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon final settlement. The ultimate settlement of uncertain tax positions may differ from our estimates, which could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the income tax provision in the relevant period. See Note 18 - Income Taxes of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 for additional details.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down. Unlike current U.S. GAAP, the credit losses could be reversed with changes in estimates, and recognized in current year earnings. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU eliminates step two of the goodwill impairment test. An impairment charge is to be recognized for the amount by which the recorded book value exceeds the fair value. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU adjusts current required disclosures related to fair value measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU provides guidance on the accounting for implementation costs related to a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with prospective application and no material impact to the financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU, but does not expect a material impact to the financial statements upon adoption in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321) - Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815 (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU clarifies the interaction of the accounting for equity securities, investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU, but does not expect a material impact to the financial statements upon adoption in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU, effective immediately for reporting periods through December 31, 2022, provides accounting relief for contract modifications that replace an interest rate impacted by reference rate reform (e.g., LIBOR) with a new alternative reference rate. The guidance is applicable to investment securities, receivables, debt, leases, hedging relationships and other contractual arrangements. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
Overview
Cirrus Logic develops low-power, high-precision mixed-signal processing solutions for a broad range of customers. We track operating results in one reportable segment, but report revenue performance by product line, currently audio and high-performance mixed-signal products. See Item 1. Business for discussion of our change to product line classifications in the current fiscal year. In fiscal year 2021, the Company made excellent progress executing on the growth vectors and strategic initiatives that we believe will contribute to our continued success. In the past year, we expanded our position in audio in Android smartphones, gained traction in applications beyond smartphones and further diversified our product portfolio with the introduction of our first camera controller. Design activity and development were robust across our product lines and we made substantial R&D investment in critical technologies and intellectual property that are important to our roadmap.
Fiscal Year 2021
Fiscal year 2021 net sales of $1.37 billion represented an increase over fiscal year 2020 net sales of $1.28 billion. High-performance mixed-signal product line sales of $265.2 million represented a 54.9 percent increase from fiscal year 2020 sales of $171.2 million, primarily attributable to content gains in smartphones. Audio product line sales of $1.10 billion in fiscal year 2021 decreased from fiscal year 2020 sales of $1.11 billion, attributable to headwinds in wired headset codecs and decreased smart codec sales in Android. The decrease was partially offset by higher unit volumes in smartphones as well as content gains in smartphones, tablets and wearables.
Overall, gross margin for fiscal year 2021 was 51.7 percent. The decrease in gross margin for fiscal year 2021 was primarily due to a shift in product mix and typical pricing reductions on certain products, partially offset by cost reductions associated with exiting the MEMS product line. The Company’s number of employees increased to 1,481 as of March 27, 2021. The Company achieved net income of $217.3 million in fiscal year 2021, which included an income tax provision in the amount of $27.9 million.
Fiscal Year 2020
Fiscal year 2020 net sales of $1.28 billion represented an increase over fiscal year 2019 net sales of $1.19 billion. Audio product line sales of $1.11 billion in fiscal year 2020 increased from fiscal year 2019 sales of $1.04 billion, attributable to strong demand for components shipping in smartphones. High-performance mixed signal product line sales of $171.2 million represented a 18.3% increase from fiscal year 2019 sales of $144.7 million attributable to increased content and sales of haptic drivers.
Overall, gross margin for fiscal year 2020 was 52.6 percent. The increase in gross margin for fiscal year 2020 was primarily due to favorable product mix and cost reductions on certain products, and, to a lesser extent, the benefit of lower reserves and supply chain efficiencies versus fiscal year 2019. The Company’s number of employees decreased to 1,443 as of March 28, 2020. The Company achieved net income of $159.5 million in fiscal year 2020, which included an income tax provision in the amount of $21.8 million.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the results of our operations for each of the past three fiscal years as a percentage of net sales. All percentage amounts were calculated using the underlying data, in thousands:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020 March 30, 2019
Net sales 100 % 100 % 100 %
Gross margin 52 % 53 % 50 %
Research and development 25 % 27 % 32 %
Selling, general and administrative 10 % 10 % 11 %
Restructuring - % 2 % - %
Gain on sale of assets - % - % (1) %
Income from operations 17 % 14 % 8 %
Interest income 1 % - % 1 %
Interest expense - % - % - %
U.K. pension settlement - % - % (1) %
Other expense - % - % - %
Income before income taxes 18 % 14 % 8 %
Provision for income taxes 2 % 2 % - %
Net income 16 % 12 % 8 %
Net Sales
We report sales in two product categories: audio products and high-performance mixed-signal products. Our sales by product line are shown in the table below (in thousands). Prior periods were retrospectively adjusted to conform to the fiscal year 2021 product line categories. See Note 9 - Revenues for disclosure of revenue associated with modified product line categories and revenue as previously reported under the previous product line groupings.
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
Audio Products $ 1,104,060 $ 1,109,958 $ 1,040,866
High-Performance Mixed-Signal Products 265,170 171,166 144,658
$ 1,369,230 $ 1,281,124 $ 1,185,524
Net sales for fiscal year 2021 increased by 6.9 percent, to $1.37 billion from $1.28 billion in fiscal year 2020. The increase in net sales reflects a $94.0 million increase in high-performance mixed-signal product sales, or 54.9 percent, from fiscal year 2020 sales of $171.2 million, which was primarily attributable to content gains in smartphones. This increase was offset by a $5.9 million decrease in audio product sales. The audio product line experienced a decrease in net sales attributable to headwinds in wired headset codecs and decreased smart codec sales in Android. The decrease was partially offset by higher unit volumes in smartphones as well as content gains in smartphones, tablets and wearables.
Net sales for fiscal year 2020 increased by 8.1%, to $1.28 billion from $1.19 billion in fiscal year 2019. The increase in net sales reflects a $69.1 million increase in audio product sales and a $26.5 million increase in high-performance mixed-signal product sales. The audio product line experienced an increase in net sales attributable to content gains, primarily in smartphones and, to a lesser extent, higher unit volumes. In Android, increased sales of boosted amplifiers were offset somewhat by a reduction in smart codec revenue. High-performance mixed-signal product line sales of $171.2 million represented an 18.3% increase from fiscal year 2019 sales of $144.7 million, which was primarily attributable to increased content and sales of haptic drivers.
International sales, including sales to U.S.-based end customers that manufacture products through contract manufacturers or plants located overseas, were approximately $1.3 billion in fiscal years 2021 and 2020 and $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2019, representing 98 percent of net sales in fiscal years 2021 and 2019, and 99 percent in fiscal year 2020. Our sales are denominated primarily in U.S. dollars.
Gross Margin
Overall gross margin of 51.7 percent for fiscal year 2021 reflects a decrease from fiscal year 2020 gross margin of 52.6 percent. The decrease was primarily attributable to a shift in product mix and typical pricing reductions on certain products. This was partially offset by cost reductions associated with exiting the MEMS product line. Changes in excess and obsolete inventory charges, including scrapped inventory, and sales of product written down in prior periods did not have a material impact on margin in fiscal year 2021.
Overall gross margin of 52.6 percent for fiscal year 2020 reflects an increase from fiscal year 2019 gross margin of 50.4 percent. The increase was primarily attributable to favorable product mix and cost reductions on certain products, and, to a lesser extent, the benefit of lower reserves and supply chain efficiencies versus fiscal year 2019. Changes in excess and obsolete inventory charges, including scrapped inventory, and sales of product written down in prior periods did not have a material impact on margin in fiscal year 2020.
Research and Development Expenses
Fiscal year 2021 research and development expenses of $342.8 million reflect a decrease of $4.9 million, or 1 percent, from fiscal year 2020. The overall decrease was attributable to reduced amortization of acquisition intangibles, travel and employee events expenses, depreciation and amortization costs on non-acquisition-related intangibles, and product development costs after exiting the MEMS product line, offset by increases in employee-related expenses, primarily salaries, variable compensation and stock-based compensation.
Fiscal year 2020 research and development expenses of $347.6 million reflect a decrease of $27.5 million, or 7 percent, from fiscal year 2019. The decrease was attributable to reduced amortization of intangibles and increased R&D incentives, offset by increases in employee-related expenses, primarily variable compensation and stock-based compensation.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Fiscal year 2021 selling, general and administrative expenses of $127.0 million reflect a decrease of $4.1 million, or 3 percent, compared to fiscal year 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to reduced travel and employee events expenses in fiscal year 2021.
Fiscal year 2020 selling, general and administrative expenses of $131.1 million reflect an increase of $4.6 million, or 4 percent, compared to fiscal year 2019. The primary drivers were employee-related expenses, primarily variable compensation, in fiscal year 2020.
Restructuring Costs
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company approved a restructuring plan (the "MEMS Restructuring"), including discontinuing efforts relating to the MEMS microphone product line. The Company recorded charges of approximately $0.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 and $21.9 million in fiscal year 2020, as part of the MEMS Restructuring, which included equipment disposal costs, asset impairment and write-off of intangible assets, and other nonrecurring costs. No additional restructuring charges were incurred for the remainder of fiscal year 2021. See Note 11 - Restructuring Costs for additional details.
Gain on Sale of Assets
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company sold the previously-acquired Edinburgh, Scotland property, for a gain of $4.9 million, presented as "Gain on sale of assets" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Item 2. Properties for additional information.
Interest Income
Interest income in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $6.3 million, $10.5 million, and $8.0 million, respectively. The fluctuations in interest income in fiscal year 2021 and 2020 versus prior years were a function of earnings on average cash, cash equivalent, and marketable securities balances throughout the year.
Interest Expense
The Company reported interest expense of $1.1 million, $1.1 million and $1.1 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, primarily as a result of the revolving credit facility, described in Note 8.
U.K. Pension Settlement
The Company settled its defined benefit pension scheme in the third quarter of fiscal year 2019. A settlement loss of $13.8 million was recognized, which was the amount of the previously recorded unamortized actuarial pension loss in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI"). The loss is presented as a separate line item in the Consolidated
Statements of Income under the caption "U.K. pension settlement". The Company has no further contribution obligations going forward.
Other Income (Expense)
In fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 the Company reported $2.8 million, $(1.6) million, and $(0.2) million respectively, in other income (expense), primarily related to remeasurement on foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities.
Provision for Income Taxes
We recorded income tax expense of $27.9 million in fiscal year 2021 on a pre-tax income of $245.2 million, yielding an effective tax rate of 11.4 percent. Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21.0 percent, primarily due to the effect of income earned in certain foreign jurisdictions that is taxed below the federal statutory rate, the release of prior year unrecognized tax benefits during fiscal year 2021, and excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.
We recorded income tax expense of $21.8 million in fiscal year 2020 on a pre-tax income of $181.3 million, yielding an effective tax rate of 12.0 percent. Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21.0 percent, primarily due to the effect of income earned in certain foreign jurisdictions that is taxed below the federal statutory rate, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation, and the release of prior year unrecognized tax benefits during fiscal year 2020.
We recorded income tax expense of $3.8 million in fiscal year 2019 on pre-tax income of $93.7 million, yielding an effective tax provision rate of 4.0 percent. Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21.0 percent, primarily due to a decrease in the provisional enactment-date effects of the legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), as well as the U.S. federal research and development tax credit and the effect of income earned in certain foreign jurisdictions that is taxed below the federal statutory rate. This overall decrease was partially offset by an increase in valuation allowance related to certain U.S. federal deferred tax assets and state tax attributes due to the likelihood that they will expire or go unutilized.
For additional discussion about our income taxes, see Note 18 - Income Taxes.
Outlook
Given the wide array of uncertainties surrounding the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, industry-wide supply constraints and the timing of when these challenges will be alleviated, it is difficult to predict our revenue, gross margin and operating expense outlook for fiscal year 2022. Cirrus Logic made meaningful progress in fiscal year 2021 however, with numerous strategic initiatives that we believe position the Company for growth in the coming years. In fiscal year 2022, we expect gross margins to be impacted by capacity constraints driving an increase in third-party manufacturing costs. Additionally, with strong customer engagements and content gains in new products coming to market, we expect revenue growth to accelerate.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
In fiscal year 2021, cash flow from operations was $348.9 million. Operating cash flow during fiscal year 2021 was related to the cash components of our net income and a $33.2 million favorable change in working capital. The favorable change in working capital was driven primarily by a decrease in accounts receivable and increase in accounts payable, partially offset by an increase in inventories. In fiscal year 2020, cash flow from operations was $295.8 million. Operating cash flow during fiscal year 2020 was related to the cash components of our net income, offset by a $2.8 million unfavorable change in working capital. The unfavorable change in working capital was driven primarily by an increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase in payables. In fiscal year 2019, cash flow from operations was $206.7 million. Operating cash flow during fiscal year 2019 was related to the cash components of our net income, offset by a $23.4 million unfavorable change in working capital. The unfavorable change in working capital was driven primarily by a decrease in payables and an increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by a decrease in inventories during the period.
In fiscal year 2021, the Company used $77.7 million in cash for investing activities primarily related to $57.2 million in net purchases of marketable securities, and capital expenditures and technology investments of $20.5 million. In fiscal year 2020, the Company used approximately $100.2 million in cash for investing activities principally related to $78.6 million in net purchases of marketable securities, and capital expenditures and technology investments of $21.6 million. In fiscal year 2019, the Company used approximately $54.7 million in cash for investing activities primarily related to $28.0 million in net purchases of marketable securities, and capital expenditures and technology investments of $35.8 million.
In fiscal year 2021, the Company used $121.2 million related to financing activities. In fiscal year 2020, the Company used $119.6 million in financing activities. In fiscal year 2019, the Company used $171.5 million in financing activities. In fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company utilized approximately $110.0 million, $120.0 million, and $160.0 million, respectively, in cash to repurchase and retire portions of its outstanding common stock. See Note 16 for a description of our share repurchase programs.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the rate of sales growth, market acceptance of our products, the timing and extent of research and development projects, potential acquisitions of companies or technologies and the expansion of our sales and marketing activities. We believe our expected future cash earnings, existing cash, cash equivalents, investment balances, and available borrowings under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements both domestically and internationally, through at least the next 12 months, although we could be required, or could elect, to seek additional funding prior to that time.
Revolving Credit Facility
On July 12, 2016, Cirrus Logic entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto, for the purpose of refinancing an existing credit facility and providing ongoing working capital. The Credit Agreement provides for a $300 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on July 12, 2021. Cirrus Logic must repay the outstanding principal amount of all borrowings, together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, on the maturity date. The Credit Facility is required to be guaranteed by all of Cirrus Logic’s material domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Cirrus Logic and any Subsidiary Guarantors, except for certain excluded assets.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility may, at our election, bear interest at either (a) a base rate plus the applicable margin (“Base Rate Loans”) or (b) a LIBOR rate plus the applicable margin (“LIBOR Rate Loans”). The applicable margin ranges from 0% to 0.50% per annum for Base Rate Loans and 1.25% to 2.00% per annum for LIBOR Rate Loans based on the Leverage Ratio (as defined below). A commitment fee accrues at a rate per annum ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% (based on the Leverage Ratio) on the average daily unused portion of the commitment of the lenders. The Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants providing that (a) the ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the prior four fiscal quarters must not be greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (the “Leverage Ratio”) and (b) the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters to consolidated fixed charges (including amounts paid in cash for consolidated interest expenses, capital expenditures, scheduled principal payments of indebtedness, and income taxes) for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters must not be less than 1.25 to 1.00 as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement also contains negative covenants limiting the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s ability to, among other things, incur debt, grant liens, make investments, effect certain fundamental changes, make certain asset dispositions, and make certain restricted payments.
As of March 27, 2021, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
See also Note 8 - Revolving Credit Facility.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 27, 2021, the Company did not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K, that were reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Contractual Obligations
In our business activities, we incur certain commitments to make future payments under contracts such as debt agreements, purchase orders, operating leases and other long-term contracts. Maturities under these contracts are set forth in the following table as of March 27, 2021:
Payment due by period (in thousands)
< 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years > 5 years Total
Facilities leases, net $ 13,747 $ 28,265 $ 25,386 $ 139,915 $ 207,313
Wafer purchase commitments 220,170 - - - 220,170
Assembly purchase commitments 4,009 - - - 4,009
Outside test purchase commitments 8,137 - - - 8,137
Other purchase commitments 34,025 36,096 - - 70,121
Interest on revolving line of credit (1) 323 - - - 323
Total $ 280,411 $ 64,361 $ 25,386 $ 139,915 $ 510,073
(1)Our debt is subject to a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. The interest included in the table above is based on forecasted commitment fees.
Certain of our operating lease obligations include escalation clauses. These escalating payment requirements are reflected in the table.
We are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to when or if a cash settlement with taxing authorities will occur related to our unrecognized tax benefits. Therefore, our liability of $32.9 million for unrecognized tax benefits is not included in the table above. See Note 18 - Income Taxes, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks associated with interest rates on drawn balances of our Revolving Credit Facility and marketable securities, and to currency movements on non-functional currency assets and liabilities. We assess these risks on a regular basis and have established policies that are designed to protect against the adverse effects of these and other potential exposures. All of the potential changes noted below are based on sensitivity analyses as of March 27, 2021. Actual results may differ materially.
Interest Rate Risk
Our primary financial instruments include cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. The Company’s investments are managed by outside professional managers within investment guidelines set by the Company. These guidelines include security type, credit quality, and maturity, and are intended to limit market risk by restricting the Company’s investments to high quality debt instruments with relatively short-term maturities. The Company does not currently use derivative financial instruments in its investment portfolio. Due to the short-term nature of our investment portfolio and the current low interest rate environment, our downside exposure to interest rate risk is minimal.
To provide a meaningful assessment of the interest rate risk associated with our investment portfolio, the Company performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the impact a change in interest rates would have on the value of the investment portfolio assuming a 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve. Based on investment positions as of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates across all maturities would result in a $6.2 million and $5.3 million decline in the fair market value of the portfolio, respectively. Such losses would only be realized if the Company sold the investments prior to maturity.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Our revenue and spending is transacted primarily in U.S. dollars; however, in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, we entered into routine transactions in other currencies to fund the operating needs of certain legal entities outside of the U.S. Our balance sheet also reflects monetary assets and liabilities in certain entities which are remeasured to each entity’s functional currency. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, we began using forward contracts to manage exposure to foreign currency exchange risk attributable to certain non-functional currency balance sheet exposures. Gains and losses from these foreign currency forward contracts are recognized currently in earnings along with the gains and losses resulting from remeasuring the underlying exposures. Because most of the aggregate balance sheet exposure is hedged by forward currency exchange contracts, at the end of any fiscal period a hypothetical 10% plus or minus fluctuation in exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar would result in an immaterial pretax currency exchange gain or loss. See Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information related to our hedging activities.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cirrus Logic, Inc. (the Company) as of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 27, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 27, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated May 21, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Inventory valuation
Description of the Matter At March 27, 2021, the Company’s net inventory balance was $173.3 million. As discussed in Note 2 of the financial statements, inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which includes considerations for inventory becoming obsolete or in excess of management’s forecasted customer unit demand. The Company writes down inventories to net realizable value based on forecasted customer unit demand while taking into account product release schedules and product life cycles. The Company also writes down inventory, as appropriate, based on the age and condition of the inventory.
Auditing management’s estimate of excess and obsolete inventory involved subjective auditor judgment because management’s determination of whether a write down is warranted is judgmental and the estimate is sensitive to changes in assumptions, including management’s assumptions over forecasted demand which may be impacted by, among other things, future market and economic conditions outside of the Company’s control.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls that address the risks of material misstatement relating to the valuation of inventory. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of forecasted demand, the significant assumptions, and the data underlying the excess and obsolete inventory valuation estimate.
Among other audit procedures performed, we evaluated the significant assumptions discussed above, including the forecasted customer unit demand utilized in the estimate, and tested the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in management’s calculation. We evaluated adjustments to forecasted demand for specific product considerations, assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates by performing a retrospective analysis comparing prior period forecasted demand to actual historical sales and inspected historical gross margins to assess whether any items were being sold at a loss.
Uncertain tax positions
Description of the Matter As described in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has recorded accrued liabilities relating to unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions of $32.9 million as of March 27, 2021. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. Furthermore, the Company’s fiscal years 2017 to 2021 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions.
Auditing management’s analysis of the uncertainties in its tax positions was complex and judgmental because the Company’s evaluation and measurement of each tax position involves assessing uncertainties with respect to the application of complex tax rules, which are subject to interpretation. The Company uses significant judgment in determining whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained and measuring the amount of tax benefit that qualifies for recognition.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls that address the risks of material misstatement relating to the existence of uncertain tax positions and measurement of the benefit of those positions. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of the technical merits of tax positions, the events and information that impacted tax positions, the estimate of the most likely outcome, and the data utilized in the estimate.
To test the valuation of uncertain tax positions, our audit procedures included, among others, analyzing the Company’s assumptions and data used to determine the amount of tax benefit to recognize and testing the accuracy of the calculations. In considering the measurement criteria, we involved our tax professionals to assess the technical merits of the Company’s tax positions. This included assessing the Company’s correspondence with the relevant tax authorities and evaluating income tax opinions or other third-party advice obtained by the Company. We also used our knowledge of, and experience with, the application of international and local income tax laws by the relevant income tax authorities to evaluate the Company’s accounting for those tax positions. We also evaluated the Company’s income tax disclosures included in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in relation to these matters.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1984.
Austin, Texas
May 21, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Cirrus Logic, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Cirrus Logic, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2021, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, and related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 27, 2021, and the related notes and our report dated May 21, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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/ Ernst & Young LLP
Austin, Texas
May 21, 2021
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
March 27,
2021 March 28,
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 442,164 $ 292,119
Marketable securities 55,697 22,008
Accounts receivable, net 108,712 153,998
Inventories 173,263 146,725
Prepaid assets 37,576 23,594
Other current assets 25,107 11,752
Total current assets 842,519 650,196
Long-term marketable securities 312,759 283,573
Right-of-use lease assets 133,548 141,274
Property and equipment, net 154,942 158,244
Intangibles, net 22,031 34,430
Goodwill 287,518 287,088
Deferred tax assets 9,977 10,052
Other assets 67,320 27,820
Total assets $ 1,830,614 $ 1,592,677
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 102,744 $ 78,412
Accrued salaries and benefits 54,849 42,439
Software license agreements 28,006 10,888
Current lease liabilities 14,573 13,580
Other accrued liabilities 13,438 13,318
Total current liabilities 213,610 158,637
Long-term liabilities:
Software license agreements 36,096 3,806
Non-current income taxes 64,020 71,143
Non-current lease liabilities 127,883 129,312
Total long-term liabilities 227,999 204,261
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, 5.0 million shares authorized but unissued
- -
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 280,000 shares authorized, 57,652 shares and 58,242 shares issued and outstanding at March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively
58 58
Additional paid-in capital 1,498,761 1,434,871
Accumulated deficit (112,689) (201,681)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 2,875 (3,469)
Total stockholders’ equity 1,389,005 1,229,779
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,830,614 $ 1,592,677
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
Net sales $ 1,369,230 $ 1,281,124 $ 1,185,524
Cost of sales 661,929 606,957 588,027
Gross profit 707,301 674,167 597,497
Operating expenses
Research and development 342,759 347,647 375,139
Selling, general and administrative 127,008 131,115 126,502
Restructuring costs 352 21,925 -
Gain on sale of assets - - (4,913)
Total operating expenses 470,119 500,687 496,728
Income from operations 237,182 173,480 100,769
Interest income 6,281 10,458 8,017
Interest expense (1,057) (1,057) (1,057)
U.K. pension settlement - - (13,768)
Other income (expense) 2,840 (1,615) (217)
Income before income taxes 245,246 181,266 93,744
Provision for income taxes 27,902 21,768 3,753
Net income 217,344 159,498 89,991
Basic earnings per share $ 3.74 $ 2.74 $ 1.50
Diluted earnings per share $ 3.62 $ 2.64 $ 1.46
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 58,106 58,317 60,116
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 60,060 60,462 61,583
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
Net income $ 217,344 $ 159,498 $ 89,991
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) 1,862 68 (3,125)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities 5,673 (2,803) 2,823
U.K. pension settlement - - 13,814
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02 - (257) -
Benefit (provision) for income taxes (1,191) 589 (3,217)
Comprehensive income $ 223,688 $ 157,095 $ 100,286
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 217,344 $ 159,498 $ 89,991
Adjustments to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 47,083 68,237 79,826
Stock-based compensation expense 56,762 53,757 49,689
Deferred income taxes (5,581) (5,888) 1,717
(Gain) loss on retirement or write-off of long-lived assets 371 379 (2,713)
Charges for defined benefit pension plan - - 11,189
Other non-cash (gains) / charges (622) 697 429
MEMS restructuring charges 352 21,925 -
Net change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net 45,286 (33,082) (14,316)
Inventories (26,538) 17,765 40,636
Other assets 843 1,379 965
Accounts payable 21,104 27,626 (21,965)
Accrued salaries and benefits 12,410 11,470 (6,432)
Income taxes payable (18,185) (9,809) (7,974)
Other accrued liabilities (1,684) (18,139) (14,348)
Net cash provided by operating activities 348,945 295,815 206,694
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities and sales of available-for-sale marketable securities 168,328 170,818 70,840
Purchases of available-for-sale marketable securities (225,528) (249,463) (98,864)
Purchases of property, equipment and software (18,253) (15,656) (31,615)
Investments in technology (2,222) (5,920) (4,143)
Proceeds from the sale of assets - - 9,120
Net cash used in investing activities (77,675) (100,221) (54,662)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for taxes 7,128 18,635 1,616
Repurchase of stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations (18,367) (18,280) (13,083)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (109,986) (120,002) (159,997)
Net cash used in financing activities (121,225) (119,647) (171,464)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 150,045 75,947 (19,432)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 292,119 216,172 235,604
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 442,164 $ 292,119 $ 216,172
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash payments during the year for:
Income taxes $ 28,988 $ 22,321 $ 20,617
Interest 610 457 612
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
Common Stock Additional
Paid-In
Capital Accumulated
Deficit Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income / (Loss) Total
Shares Amount
Balance, March 31, 2018 61,960 $ 62 $ 1,312,372 $ (139,345) $ (11,361) $ 1,161,728
Net income - - - 89,991 - 89,991
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax - - - - 2,231 2,231
Change in defined benefit pension plan liability, net of tax - - - - 11,189 11,189
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments - - - - (3,125) (3,125)
Issuance of stock under stock option plans and other, net of shares withheld for employee taxes 964 1 1,616 (13,083) - (11,466)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (3,970) (4) - (159,993) - (159,997)
Amortization of deferred stock compensation - - 49,689 - - 49,689
Balance, March 30, 2019 58,954 $ 59 $ 1,363,677 $ (222,430) $ (1,066) $ 1,140,240
Net income - - - 159,498 - 159,498
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax - - - - (2,214) (2,214)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments - - - - 68 68
Issuance of stock under stock option plans and other, net of shares withheld for employee taxes 1,418 1 18,634 (18,280) - 355
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02, net of tax - - - (726) - (726)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02 - - - 257 (257) -
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (2,130) (2) - (120,000) - (120,002)
Amortization of deferred stock compensation - - 52,560 - - 52,560
Balance, March 28, 2020 58,242 $ 58 $ 1,434,871 $ (201,681) $ (3,469) $ 1,229,779
Net income - - - 217,344 - 217,344
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax - - - - 4,482 4,482
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments - - - - 1,862 1,862
Issuance of stock under stock option plans and other, net of shares withheld for employee taxes 862 1 7,128 (18,367) - (11,238)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (1,452) (1) - (109,985) - (109,986)
Amortization of deferred stock compensation - - 56,762 - - 56,762
Balance, March 27, 2021 57,652 $ 58 $ 1,498,761 $ (112,689) $ 2,875 $ 1,389,005
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.Description of Business
Description of Business
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (“Cirrus Logic,” “We,” “Us,” “Our,” or the “Company”) is a leader in low-power, high-precision mixed-signal processing solutions that create innovative user experiences for the world’s top mobile and consumer applications.
We were incorporated in California in 1984, became a public company in 1989, and were reincorporated in the State of Delaware in February 1999. Our primary facility housing engineering, sales and marketing, and administration functions is located in Austin, Texas. We also have offices in various other locations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Asia, including the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan. Our common stock, which has been publicly traded since 1989, is listed on the NASDAQ's Global Select Market under the symbol CRUS.
Basis of Presentation
We prepare financial statements on a 52- or 53-week year that ends on the last Saturday in March. Fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 52-week years.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances in order to conform to the current year’s presentation of financial information.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of management estimates. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at fiscal year-end and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds, commercial paper, and U.S. Government Treasury and Agency instruments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Inventories
We use the lower of cost or net realizable value to value our inventories, with cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. One of the factors we consistently evaluate in the application of this method is the extent to which products are accepted into the marketplace. By policy, we evaluate market acceptance based on known business factors and conditions by comparing forecasted customer unit demand for our products over a specific future period, or demand horizon, to quantities on hand at the end of each accounting period.
On a quarterly and annual basis, we analyze inventories on a part-by-part basis. Product life cycles and the competitive nature of the industry are factors considered in the evaluation of customer unit demand at the end of each quarterly accounting period. Inventory on-hand in excess of forecasted demand is considered to have reduced market value and, therefore, the cost basis is adjusted to the lower of cost or net realizable value. Typically, market values for excess or obsolete inventories are considered to be zero. Inventory charges recorded for excess and obsolete inventory, including scrapped inventory, were $1.2 million and $2.8 million, in fiscal year 2021 and 2020, respectively. Inventory charges in fiscal year 2021 and 2020 related to a combination of quality issues and inventory exceeding demand.
Inventories were comprised of the following (in thousands):
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Work in process $ 92,073 $ 82,494
Finished goods 81,190 64,231
$ 173,263 $ 146,725
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost, net of depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over estimated economic lives, ranging from 3 to 39 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life. Furniture, fixtures, machinery, and equipment are all depreciated over a useful life of 3 to 10 years, while buildings are depreciated over a period of up to 39 years. In general, our capitalized software is amortized over a useful life of 3 years, with capitalized enterprise resource planning software being amortized over a useful life of 10 years. Gains or losses related to retirements or dispositions of fixed assets are recognized in the period incurred. Additionally, if impairment indicators exist, the Company will assess the carrying value of the associated asset. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company sold the Edinburgh, Scotland property for a $4.9 million gain presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Income as "Gain on sale of assets". The Company recorded $0.1 million and $9.6 million of equipment disposal charges, during fiscal year 2021 and the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, respectively, related to the MEMS restructuring. See Note 11 - Restructuring Costs for further detail.
Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following (in thousands):
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Land $ 23,853 $ 23,853
Buildings 63,803 63,803
Furniture and fixtures 23,733 23,059
Leasehold improvements 52,041 51,525
Machinery and equipment 160,400 159,201
Capitalized software 26,152 25,942
Construction in progress and other 950 892
Total property, plant and equipment 350,932 348,275
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (195,990) (190,031)
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 154,942 $ 158,244
Depreciation and amortization expense on property, plant, and equipment for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $24.9 million, $31.9 million, and $32.0 million, respectively.
Goodwill and Intangibles, net
Intangible assets include purchased technology licenses and patents that are reported at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, generally ranging from 1 to 10 years. Acquired intangibles include existing technology, core technology or patents, license agreements, in-process research & development, trademarks, tradenames, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, and backlog. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from 1 to 15 years.
Goodwill is recorded at the time of an acquisition and is calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. Impairment evaluations involve management’s assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired. If management concludes from its assessment of qualitative factors that it is more likely than not that impairment exists, then a quantitative impairment test will be performed involving management estimates of asset useful lives and future cash flows. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasts of future operating results that are used in these evaluations. If our actual results, or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses, are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges in a future period. The Company has recorded no goodwill impairments in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company recorded $10.0 million of intangible asset
impairment charges related to the MEMS restructuring. See Note 11 - Restructuring Costs for further detail. There were no material intangible asset impairments in fiscal years 2021 or 2019.
Long-Lived Assets
We test for impairment losses on long-lived assets and definite-lived intangibles used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. We measure any impairment loss by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. We estimate fair value based on discounted future cash flows, quoted market prices, or independent appraisals.
Foreign Currency Translation
Some of the Company's subsidiaries utilize the local currency as the functional currency. The Company’s main entities, including the entities that generate the majority of sales and employ the majority of employees, are U.S. dollar functional.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to material concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, marketable securities, long-term marketable securities, and trade accounts receivable. We are exposed to credit risk to the extent of the amounts recorded on the balance sheet. By policy, our cash equivalents, marketable securities, and long-term marketable securities are subject to certain nationally recognized credit standards, issuer concentrations, sovereign risk, and marketability or liquidity considerations.
In evaluating our trade receivables, we perform credit evaluations of our major customers’ financial condition and monitor closely all of our receivables to limit our financial exposure by limiting the length of time and amount of credit extended. In certain situations, we may require payment in advance or utilize letters of credit to reduce credit risk. By policy, we establish a reserve for trade accounts receivable based on the type of business in which a customer is engaged, the length of time a trade account receivable is outstanding, and other knowledge that we may possess relating to the probability that a trade receivable is at risk for non-payment.
We had one contract manufacturer, Henan Fuchi, who represented 25 percent of our consolidated gross trade accounts receivable as of the end of fiscal year 2021. Hongfujin Precision and Pegatron represented 29 percent and 20 percent, respectively of our consolidated gross trade accounts receivable as of the end of fiscal year 2020. No other distributor or customer had receivable balances that represented more than 10 percent of consolidated gross trade accounts receivable as of the end of fiscal year 2021 and 2020.
Since the components we produce are largely proprietary and generally not available from second sources, we consider our end customer to be the entity specifying the use of our component in their design. These end customers may then purchase our products directly from us, from a distributor, or through a third-party manufacturer contracted to produce their end product. For fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, our ten largest end customers represented approximately 93 percent, 93 percent, and 91 percent, of our sales, respectively. For fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, we had one end customer, Apple Inc., who purchased through multiple contract manufacturers and represented approximately 83 percent, 79 percent, and 78 percent, of the Company’s total sales, respectively. No other customer or distributor represented more than 10 percent of net sales in fiscal years 2021, 2020, or 2019.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
Performance Obligations
The Company’s single performance obligation is the delivery of promised goods to the customer. The promised goods are explicitly stated in the customer contract and are comprised of either a single type of good or a series of goods that are substantially the same, have the same pattern of transfer to the customer, and are neither capable of being distinct nor separable from the other promised goods in the contract. This performance obligation is satisfied upon transfer of control of the promised goods to the customer, as defined per the shipping terms within the customer’s contract. The vast majority of the Company’s contracts with customers have an original expected term of one year or less. As allowed by ASC 606, the Company has not disclosed of the value of any unsatisfied performance obligations related to these contracts.
The Company’s products typically include a warranty period of one to three years. These warranties qualify as assurance-type warranties, as goods can be returned for product non-conformance and defect only. As such, these warranties are accounted for under ASC 460, Guarantees, and are not considered a separate performance obligation.
Contract balances
Payments are typically due within 30 to 60 days of invoicing and terms do not include a significant financing component or noncash consideration. There have been no material impairment losses on accounts receivable. There are no material contract assets or contract liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
Transaction price
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods to the customer. Fixed pricing is the consideration that is agreed upon in the customer contract. Variable pricing includes rebates, rights of return, warranties, price protection and stock rotation. Rebates are granted as a customer account credit, based on agreed-upon sales thresholds. Rights of return and warranty costs are estimated using the "most likely amount" method by reviewing historical returns to determine the most likely customer return rate and applying materiality thresholds. Price protection includes price adjustments available to certain distributors based upon established book price and a stated adjustment period. Stock rotation is also available to certain distributors based on a stated maximum of prior billings.
The Company estimates all variable consideration at the most likely amount which it expects to be entitled. The estimate is based on current and historical information available to the Company, including recent sales activity and pricing. Variable consideration is only included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company defers all variable consideration that does not meet the revenue recognition criteria.
Warranty Expense
We warrant our products and maintain a provision for warranty repair or replacement of shipped products. The accrual represents management’s estimate of probable returns. Our estimate is based on an analysis of our overall sales volume and historical claims experience. The estimate is re-evaluated periodically for accuracy.
Shipping Costs
Our shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $0.9 million, $0.9 million, and $1.0 million, in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the grant-date fair value of the awards and is recognized as an expense, on a ratable basis, over the vesting period, which is generally between 0 and 4 years. Determining the amount of stock-based compensation to be recorded requires the Company to develop estimates used in calculating the grant-date fair value of stock options and performance awards (also called market stock units). The Company calculates the grant-date fair value for stock options and market stock units using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the Monte Carlo simulation, respectively. The use of valuation models requires the Company to make estimates of assumptions such as expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, and forfeiture rates. The grant-date fair value of restricted stock units is the market value at grant date multiplied by the number of units.
Income Taxes
We are required to calculate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves calculating the actual current tax liability as well as assessing temporary differences in the recognition of income or loss for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates the ability to realize its deferred tax assets based on all the facts and circumstances, including projections of future taxable income and expiration dates of carryover tax attributes.
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves assessing uncertainties with respect to the application of complex tax rules and the potential for future adjustment of our uncertain tax positions by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing jurisdiction. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on the required two-step process. The first step requires us to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates that the tax position has met the threshold for recognition; therefore, we must evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step requires us to measure the tax benefit of the tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon
ultimate settlement. We reevaluate the uncertain tax positions each quarter based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, expirations of statutes of limitation, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. A change in the recognition step or measurement step would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period.
Although we believe the measurement of our liabilities for uncertain tax positions is reasonable, we cannot assure that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals. If additional taxes are assessed as a result of an audit or litigation, it could have a material effect on our income tax provision and net income in the period or periods for which that determination is made. We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audit in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues which may require an extended period of time to resolve and could result in additional assessments of income tax. We believe adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all periods.
Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is based on the weighted effect of common shares issued and outstanding and is calculated by dividing net income by the basic weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares used in the basic net income per share calculation, plus the equivalent number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. These potentially dilutive items consist primarily of outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants.
The following table details the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020 March 30, 2019
Numerator:
Net income $ 217,344 $ 159,498 $ 89,991
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding 58,106 58,317 60,116
Effect of dilutive securities 1,954 2,145 1,467
Weighted average diluted shares 60,060 60,462 61,583
Basic earnings per share $ 3.74 $ 2.74 $ 1.50
Diluted earnings per share $ 3.62 $ 2.64 $ 1.46
The weighted outstanding shares excluded from our diluted calculation for the years ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019 were 187 thousand, 543 thousand, and 872 thousand, respectively, as the exercise price of certain outstanding stock options exceeded the average market price during the period.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Our accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as available-for-sale and, in fiscal year 2019, the settlement of our defined benefit pension plan assets. See Note 17 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for additional discussion.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down. Unlike current U.S. GAAP, the credit losses could be reversed with changes in estimates, and recognized in current year earnings. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU eliminates step two of the goodwill impairment test. An impairment charge is to be recognized for the amount by which the recorded book value exceeds the fair value. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU adjusts current required disclosures related to fair value measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU provides guidance on the accounting for implementation costs related to a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with prospective application and no material impact to the financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU, but does not expect a material impact to the financial statements upon adoption in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321) - Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815 (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU clarifies the interaction of the accounting for equity securities, investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU, but does not expect a material impact to the financial statements upon adoption in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU, effective immediately for reporting periods through December 31, 2022, provides accounting relief for contract modifications that replace an interest rate impacted by reference rate reform (e.g., LIBOR) with a new alternative reference rate. The guidance is applicable to investment securities, receivables, debt, leases, hedging relationships and other contractual arrangements. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with no material impact to the financial statements.
3. Marketable Securities
The Company’s investments have been classified as available-for-sale securities in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Marketable securities are categorized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Marketable securities” within the short-term or long-term classification, as appropriate.
The following table is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
As of March 27, 2021 Amortized
Cost Gross Unrealized
Gains Gross Unrealized
Losses Estimated Fair Value
(Net Carrying Amount)
Corporate debt securities $ 348,971 $ 3,403 $ (313) $ 352,061
Non-U.S. government securities 13,462 172 (1) 13,633
Agency discount notes 2,759 4 (1) 2,762
Total securities $ 365,192 $ 3,579 $ (315) $ 368,456
The Company typically invests in highly-rated securities with original maturities generally ranging from one to three years. The Company's specifically identified gross unrealized losses of $0.3 million related to securities with total amortized costs of approximately $92.0 million at March 27, 2021. There were no securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months as of March 27, 2021. The Company may sell certain of its marketable securities prior to their stated maturities for strategic reasons including, but not limited to, anticipated or actual changes in credit rating and duration management. The Company records an allowance for credit loss when a decline in investment market value is due to credit-related factors. When evaluating an investment for impairment, the Company reviews factors including the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, changes in market interest rates and whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investment’s cost basis. As of March 27, 2021, the Company does not consider any of its investments to be impaired.
As of March 28, 2020 Amortized
Cost Gross Unrealized
Gains Gross Unrealized
Losses Estimated Fair Value
(Net Carrying Amount)
Corporate debt securities $ 286,668 $ 1,157 $ (3,993) $ 283,832
Non-U.S. government securities 12,483 260 - 12,743
U.S. Treasury securities 8,839 167 - 9,006
Total securities $ 307,990 $ 1,584 $ (3,993) $ 305,581
The Company’s specifically identified gross unrealized losses of $4.0 million related to securities with total amortized costs of approximately $172.9 million at March 28, 2020. There were no securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months as of March 28, 2020. As of March 28, 2020, the Company did not consider any of its investments to be impaired.
The cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments by contractual maturity were as follows:
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Amortized
Cost Estimated
Fair Value Amortized
Cost Estimated
Fair Value
Within 1 year $ 54,895 $ 55,698 $ 22,012 $ 22,008
After 1 year 310,297 312,758 285,978 283,573
Total $ 365,192 $ 368,456 $ 307,990 $ 305,581
4. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company has determined that the assets and liabilities in the Company’s financial statements that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis are the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities portfolio. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
▪Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
▪Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
▪Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities portfolio consist of money market funds, debt securities, non-U.S government securities, U.S Treasury securities, and securities of U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, and are reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheet under the headings cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and long-term marketable securities. The Company determines the fair value of its marketable securities portfolio by obtaining non-binding market prices from its third-party pricing providers on the last day of the quarter, whose sources may use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs) or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs) in determining fair value.
The Company’s long-term revolving facility, described in Note 8, bears interest at a base rate plus applicable margin or LIBOR plus applicable margin. As of March 27, 2021, there are no amounts drawn under the facility and the fair value is zero.
As of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, the Company has no material Level 3 assets or liabilities. There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 measurements for the years ending March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020.
The following summarizes the fair value of our financial instruments at March 27, 2021 (in thousands):
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
Level 1 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
Level 2 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Level 3 Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents
Money market funds $ 405,819 $ - $ - $ 405,819
Available-for-sale securities
Corporate debt securities $ - $ 352,061 $ - $ 352,061
Non-U.S. government securities - 13,633 - 13,633
Agency discount notes - 2,762 - 2,762
$ - $ 368,456 $ - $ 368,456
The following summarizes the fair value of our financial instruments at March 28, 2020 (in thousands):
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
Level 1 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
Level 2 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Level 3 Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents
Money market funds $ 237,714 $ - $ - $ 237,714
Available-for-sale securities
Corporate debt securities $ - $ 283,832 $ - $ 283,832
Non-U.S. government securities - 12,743 - 12,743
U.S. Treasury securities 9,006 - - 9,006
$ 9,006 $ 296,575 $ - $ 305,581
5. Derivative Financial Instruments
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
Beginning in fiscal year 2020, the Company began using foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the earnings impact that exchange rate fluctuations have on non-functional currency balance sheet exposures. The Company recognizes both the gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the gains and losses on the remeasurement of non-functional currency assets and liabilities within "Other income (expense)" in the consolidated statements of income. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to these foreign currency derivative instruments.
As of March 27, 2021, the Company held one foreign currency forward contract denominated in British Pound Sterling with a notional value of $13.6 million. The fair value of this contract was not material as of March 27, 2021.
The before-tax effect of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments was as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020 March 30, 2019 Location
Gain (loss) recognized in income
Foreign currency forward contracts $ 3,212 $ (4,226) $ - Other income (expense)
6. Accounts Receivable, net
The following are the components of accounts receivable, net (in thousands):
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Gross accounts receivable $ 108,712 $ 153,998
Allowance for doubtful accounts - -
Accounts receivable, net $ 108,712 $ 153,998
The Company regularly evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on age, historical customer payment trends and ongoing customer relations. The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
Balance, March 31, 2018 $ (203)
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries (67)
Balance, March 30, 2019 (270)
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries 270
Balance, March 28, 2020 -
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries -
Balance, March 27, 2021 $ -
Recoveries on bad debt were immaterial for the three years presented above.
7. Intangibles, net and Goodwill
The intangibles, net balance included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was $22.0 million and $34.4 million at March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively.
The following information details the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets (in thousands):
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Intangible Category / Weighted-Average Amortization
period (in years) Gross
Amount Accumulated
Amortization Gross
Amount Accumulated
Amortization
Core technology (a) $ 1,390 $ (1,390) $ 1,390 $ (1,390)
License agreement (a) 440 (440) 440 (440)
Existing technology (7.0)
111,005 (105,870) 111,005 (100,145)
In-process research & development (“IPR&D”) (7.5)
70,936 (62,885) 70,936 (58,284)
Trademarks and tradename (10.0)
3,037 (2,717) 3,037 (2,589)
Customer relationships (10.0)
15,381 (10,346) 15,381 (8,808)
Backlog (a) 220 (220) 220 (220)
Non-compete agreements (a) 470 (470) 470 (470)
Technology licenses (3.0)
25,945 (22,455) 23,820 (19,923)
Total $ 228,824 $ (206,793) $ 226,699 $ (192,269)
(a)Intangible assets are fully amortized.
Amortization expense for intangibles in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $14.5 million, $28.3 million, and $47.8 million, respectively. The following table details the estimated aggregate amortization expense for all intangibles owned as of March 27, 2021, for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and in the aggregate thereafter (in thousands):
For the year ended March 26, 2022 $ 12,533
For the year ended March 25, 2023 $ 6,726
For the year ended March 30, 2024 $ 2,231
For the year ended March 29, 2025 $ 541
For the year ended March 28, 2026 $ -
Thereafter $ -
The goodwill balance included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet is $287.5 million and $287.1 million at March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively.
8. Revolving Credit Facility
On July 12, 2016, Cirrus Logic entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto, for the purpose of refinancing an existing credit facility and providing ongoing working capital. The Credit Agreement provides for a $300 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on July 12, 2021. The Credit Facility is required to be guaranteed by all of Cirrus Logic’s material domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Cirrus Logic and any Subsidiary Guarantors, except for certain excluded assets.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility may, at Cirrus Logic’s election, bear interest at either (a) a base rate plus the applicable margin (“Base Rate Loans”) or (b) a LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin (“LIBOR Rate Loans”). The applicable margin ranges from 0% to 0.50% per annum for Base Rate Loans and 1.25% to 2.00% per annum for LIBOR Rate Loans based on the Leverage Ratio (as defined below). A commitment fee accrues at a rate per annum ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% (based on the Leverage Ratio) on the average daily unused portion of the commitment of the lenders. The Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants providing that (a) the ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive quarters must not be greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (the “Leverage Ratio”) and (b) the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters to consolidated fixed charges (including amounts paid in cash for consolidated interest expenses, capital expenditures, scheduled principal payments of indebtedness, and income taxes) for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters must not be less than 1.25 to 1.00 as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement also contains negative covenants limiting the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s ability to, among other things, incur debt, grant liens, make investments, effect certain fundamental changes, make certain asset dispositions, and make certain restricted payments.
As of March 27, 2021, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
9. Revenues
Disaggregation of revenue
We disaggregate revenue from contracts with customers by product line and ship to location of the customer. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, we adjusted how we report product line revenue to better represent our business and strategic focus. Sales will be designated in the product line categories of Audio and High-Performance Mixed-Signal.
Total net sales based on the product line disaggregation criteria described above are shown in the table below (in thousands). Prior periods were retrospectively adjusted to conform to the fiscal year 2021 product line categories.
Fiscal Year 2021 Portable Products Non-Portable and Other Products Total
Audio Products $ 998,445 $ 105,615 $ 1,104,060
High-Performance Mixed-Signal Products 236,053 29,117 265,170
Total $ 1,234,498 $ 134,732 $ 1,369,230
Fiscal Year 2020 Portable Products Non-Portable and Other Products Total
Audio Products $ 1,009,933 $ 100,025 $ 1,109,958
High-Performance Mixed-Signal Products 136,985 34,181 171,166
Total $ 1,146,918 $ 134,206 $ 1,281,124
Fiscal Year 2019 Portable Products Non-Portable and Other Products Total
Audio Products $ 922,608 $ 118,258 $ 1,040,866
High-Performance Mixed-Signal Products 109,441 35,217 144,658
Total $ 1,032,049 $ 153,475 $ 1,185,524
The geographic regions that are reviewed are China, the United States, and the rest of the world.
Total net sales based on the geographic disaggregation criteria described are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, March 28, March 30,
2021 2020 2019
China $ 1,024,178 $ 975,090 $ 922,202
United States 21,708 17,099 26,182
Rest of World 323,344 288,935 237,140
Total $ 1,369,230 $ 1,281,124 $ 1,185,524
See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional discussion surrounding revenue recognition considerations.
10. Leases
The Company has operating leases for corporate offices and certain office equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 28 years, some of which include options to extend the leases that are considered reasonably certain to be exercised. Our leases generally contain fixed rental payments, with additional variable payments linked to actual common area maintenance costs incurred by the landlord. These variable payments are therefore not included within the lease liability and ROU asset, but are recognized as an expense when incurred. As our leases typically do not provide an implicit rate, the Company determined the Incremental Borrowing Rate ("IBR") for each lease based on the information available at the commencement date, taking into consideration necessary adjustments for collateral, currency, and lease term. There are no residual value guarantees in any of our leases. No restrictions or covenants have been imposed on the Company as a result of the lease agreements in place.
The Company also leases a small portion of our office space to tenants under operating leases, receiving monthly rental payments. Payments are generally fixed, with variable payments linked to actual common area maintenance costs incurred. Total fixed lease payments to be received over the life of the lease are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
All of the Company’s leases have been classified as operating leases. Operating leases in excess of 12 months are recognized on the balance sheet, with future lease payments recognized as a liability, measured at present value, and the right-of-use asset recognized for the lease term. A single lease cost is recognized in the income statement over the lease term.
The components of net operating lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Operating lease - in excess of 12 months $ 14,050 $ 13,518
Variable lease 4,981 4,721
Short-term lease 151 119
Operating lease income (1,416) (1,296)
Total net operating lease expense $ 17,766 $ 17,062
Other information related to operating leases was as follows:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities (in thousands)
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 14,954 $ 13,955
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (in thousands) 805 1,107
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years) 19 20
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 4 % 4 %
As of March 27, 2021, there are no leases that have not yet commenced that would create significant rights and obligations on the Company.
Future lease commitments under non-cancellable leases, including extension options reasonably anticipated to be exercised as of March 27, 2021, are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Operating Lease Expense Operating Lease Income
2022 $ 14,852 $ 1,105
2023 14,492 278
2024 14,051 -
2025 13,514 -
2026 11,872 -
Thereafter 139,915 -
Total $ 208,696 $ 1,383
Less imputed interest (66,240) -
Total $ 142,456 $ 1,383
Operating lease liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Current lease liabilities $ 14,573 $ 13,580
Non-current lease liabilities 127,883 129,312
Total operating lease liabilities $ 142,456 $ 142,892
11. Restructuring Costs
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company approved a restructuring plan (the “MEMS Restructuring”), including discontinuing efforts relating to the microelectromechanical systems ("MEMS") microphone product line, which
allowed the Company to concentrate our resources on projects with an anticipated larger return on investment. The Company recorded charges of $21.9 million as part of the MEMS Restructuring in fiscal year 2020. The MEMS Restructuring was substantially complete as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 with a $0.4 million "Restructuring Costs" charge to the income statement. No additional restructuring charges were incurred during fiscal year 2021.
The following table details the total restructuring charges presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income within the "Restructuring Costs" line item (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020
Disposal of equipment, net of recovery from sales (a)
$ 130 $ 9,578
Impairment and write-off of intangible assets - 9,961
Other exit costs (b) 222 1,903
Personnel-related charges, net of equity cancellations (c) - 483
Total $ 352 $ 21,925
a.Fiscal year ended March 28, 2020 includes accelerated depreciation of equipment of $11.5 million, net of $1.9 million of recovery from equipment sold during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
b.Fiscal year ended March 28, 2020 includes $0.6 million of accrued exit costs as of March 28, 2020 which are presented in the “Other accrued liabilities” line item of our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
c.Personnel-related charges consist of severance costs of $1.7 million, net of $1.2 million of equity cancellation benefits and includes $0.4 million of accrued severance as of March 28, 2020 which is presented in the “Other accrued liabilities” line item of our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Restructuring liabilities are presented in the "Other accrued liabilities" line item of our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The activity related to restructuring liabilities is detailed below (in thousands):
Restructuring Liability
Beginning balance as of March 28, 2020 $ 982
Other exit costs 222
Cash payments (1,204)
Ending balance as of March 27, 2021 $ -
12. Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
The Company had a defined benefit pension scheme (the “Scheme”), for some individuals in the United Kingdom. On November 30, 2018, the Scheme buy-out was completed and individual policies were established for each member. Completion of the buy-out confirmed full and final settlement of the Scheme, and the unamortized loss previously recorded within AOCI of $13.8 million was recognized within other non-operating expense as "U.K. pension settlement" in the third quarter of fiscal year 2019, with the corresponding tax benefit of $2.6 million being recognized within "Provision for income taxes" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As the buy-out transaction fully settled, there were no further contributions to the Scheme.
Defined Contribution Plans
We have Defined Contribution Plans (“the Plans”) covering all of our qualifying employees. Under the Plans, employees may elect to contribute any percentage of their annual compensation up to the annual regulatory limits. The Company made matching employee contributions of $7.9 million, $7.5 million, and $7.7 million during fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
13. Equity Compensation
The Company is currently granting equity awards from the 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was approved by stockholders in August 2018 and subsequently amended on July 31, 2020. The Plan provides for granting of stock
options, restricted stock awards, performance awards, phantom stock awards, and bonus stock awards, or any combination of the foregoing. To date, the Company has granted stock options, restricted stock awards, phantom stock awards (also called restricted stock units), and performance awards (also called market stock units). Each stock option granted reduces the total shares available for grant under the Plan by one share. Each full value award granted (including restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and market stock units) reduces the total shares available for grant under the Plan by 1.5 shares. Stock options generally vest between one and four years, and are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units are generally subject to vesting from zero to three years, depending upon the terms of the grant. Market stock units are subject to a vesting schedule of three years.
The following table summarizes the activity in total shares available for grant (in thousands):
Shares
Available for
Grant
Balance, March 31, 2018 3,065
Shares added 2,509
Granted (2,371)
Forfeited 120
Balance, March 30, 2019 3,323
Shares added 248
Granted (1,686)
Forfeited 210
Balance, March 28, 2020 2,095
Shares added 3,223
Granted (1,491)
Forfeited 198
Balance, March 27, 2021 4,025
Stock-based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes the effects of stock-based compensation on cost of goods sold, research and development, sales, general and administrative, pre-tax income, and net income after taxes for shares granted under the Plan (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Fiscal Year
2021 2020 2019
Cost of sales $ 900 $ 908 $ 877
Research and development 37,483 33,859 29,115
Sales, general and administrative 18,379 18,990 19,697
Effect on pre-tax income 56,762 53,757 49,689
Income Tax Benefit (9,558) (9,336) (5,748)
Total stock-based compensation expense (net of taxes) 47,204 44,421 43,941
Stock-based compensation effects on basic earnings per share $ 0.81 $ 0.76 $ 0.73
Stock-based compensation effects on diluted earnings per share 0.79 0.73 0.71
The total stock-based compensation expense included in the table above and which is attributable to restricted stock units and market stock units was $53.6 million, $50.0 million, $45.5 million, for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is presented within operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
As of March 27, 2021, there was $105.8 million of compensation costs related to non-vested stock options, restricted stock units, and market stock units granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans not yet recognized in the Company’s financial statements. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.28 years for stock options, 1.57 years for restricted stock units, and 1.33 years for market stock units.
In addition to the income tax benefit of stock-based compensation expense shown in the table above, the Company recognized excess tax benefits of $2.2 million, $4.9 million and $0.9 million in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively.
Stock Options
We estimate the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using a dividend yield of zero and the following additional assumptions:
March 27, 2021 March 28, 2020 March 30, 2019
Expected stock price volatility 43.85% - 43.99%
37.17% - 41.61%
38.00% - 38.14%
Risk-free interest rate 0.35% - 0.72%
1.54% - 2.29%
2.57% - 2.94%
Expected term (in years) 4.32 - 4.43
3.81 - 4.55
3.12 - 3.73
The Black-Scholes valuation calculation requires us to estimate key assumptions such as stock price volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The expected stock price volatility is based upon implied volatility from traded options on our stock in the marketplace. The expected term of options granted is derived from an analysis of historical exercises and remaining contractual life of stock options, and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding after becoming vested. The risk-free interest rate reflects the yield on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities for a period that is commensurate with the expected term assumption. Finally, we have never paid cash dividends, do not currently intend to pay cash dividends, and thus have assumed a zero percent dividend yield.
Using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, the weighted average estimated fair values of employee stock options granted in fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, were $33.81, $29.25, and $16.27, respectively.
During fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, we received a net $7.1 million, $18.6 million, and $1.6 million, respectively, from the exercise of 0.2 million, 0.8 million, and 0.1 million, respectively, stock options granted under the Company’s Stock Plan.
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during fiscal year 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $10.2 million, $34.0 million, and $2.6 million, respectively. Intrinsic value represents the difference between the market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of exercise and the strike price of the stock option.
Additional information with respect to stock option activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Outstanding Options
Number Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Balance, March 31, 2018 1,740 $ 31.91
Options granted 280 40.41
Options exercised (108) 15.03
Options forfeited (38) 49.62
Options expired (9) 55.01
Balance, March 30, 2019 1,865 $ 33.68
Options granted 169 66.93
Options exercised (780) 23.90
Options forfeited (27) 50.75
Options expired (11) 55.03
Balance, March 28, 2020 1,216 $ 44.01
Options granted 96 77.23
Options exercised (236) 30.26
Options forfeited (17) 56.27
Options expired - -
Balance, March 27, 2021 1,059 $ 49.87
Additional information with regards to outstanding options that are vesting, expected to vest, or exercisable as of March 27, 2021 is as follows (in thousands, except years and per share amounts):
Number of
Options Weighted
Average
Exercise price Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Term (years) Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Vested and expected to vest 1,048 $ 49.68 6.22 $ 34,926
Exercisable 737 $ 44.91 5.27 $ 28,062
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, stock options outstanding that are expected to vest are presented net of estimated future option forfeitures, which are estimated as compensation costs are recognized. Options with a fair value of $4.8 million, $4.7 million, and $4.1 million, became vested during fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
The following table summarizes information regarding outstanding and exercisable options as of March 27, 2021 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life Weighted
Average Exercise Number Weighted
Average
Range of Exercise Prices Number (years) Price Exercisable Exercise Price
$15.31 - $38.15
177 4.51 $ 30.06 162 $ 29.36
$38.34 - $38.99
183 3.04 38.81 169 38.85
$41.49 - $54.65
308 6.72 47.51 234 49.39
$55.72 - $68.43
156 6.72 56.35 123 55.72
$68.56 - $68.56
148 8.61 68.56 49 68.56
$78.00 - $78.00
88 9.93 78.00 - -
1,060 6.25 $ 49.87 737 $ 44.91
As of March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019, the number of options exercisable was 0.7 million, 0.8 million, and 1.3 million respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
Commencing in fiscal year 2011, the Company began granting restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to select employees. These awards are valued as of the grant date and amortized over the requisite vesting period. Generally, RSUs vest 100 percent on the first to third anniversary of the grant date depending on the vesting specifications. A summary of the activity for RSUs in fiscal year 2021, 2020, and 2019 is presented below (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):
Shares Weighted
Average
Fair Value
March 31, 2018 2,769 $ 45.70
Granted 1,416 40.57
Vested (1,176) 33.65
Forfeited (175) 48.15
March 30, 2019 2,834 $ 47.99
Granted 1,014 66.76
Vested (897) 51.20
Forfeited (271) 50.82
March 28, 2020 2,680 $ 53.74
Granted 945 71.44
Vested (881) 52.97
Forfeited (131) 55.36
March 27, 2021 2,613 $ 60.31
The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding as of March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019 was $216.9 million, $165.9 million, and $119.2 million, respectively. Additional information with regards to outstanding RSUs that are expected to vest as of March 27, 2021, is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):
Shares Weighted
Average
Fair Value Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Term (years)
Expected to vest 2,460 $ 59.95 1.54
RSUs outstanding that are expected to vest are presented net of estimated future forfeitures, which are estimated as compensation costs are recognized. RSUs with a fair value of $46.7 million, $45.9 million, and $39.6 million became vested during fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The majority of RSUs that vested in 2021, 2020 and 2019 were net settled such that the Company withheld a portion of the shares to satisfy tax withholding requirements. In fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 the vesting of RSUs reduced the authorized and unissued share balance by approximately 0.9 million and 0.9 million, 1.2 million, respectively. Total shares withheld and subsequently retired out of the Plan were approximately 0.3 million, 0.3 million, and 0.3 million and total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to taxing authorities were $18.4 million, $18.3 million, and $13.1 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Market Stock Units
In fiscal year 2015, the Company began granting market stock units (“MSUs”) to select employees. MSUs vest based upon the relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company as compared to that of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (“the Index”). The requisite service period for these MSUs is also the vesting period, which is three years. The fair value of each MSU granted was determined on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo simulation, which calculates the present value of the potential outcomes of future stock prices of the Company and the Index over the requisite service period. The fair value is based on the risk-free rate of return, the volatilities of the stock price of the Company and the Index, the correlation of the stock price of the Company with the Index, and the dividend yield.
The fair values estimated from the Monte Carlo simulation were calculated using a dividend yield of zero and the following additional assumptions:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
Expected stock price volatility 43.85 % 37.17% - 41.61%
38.00% - 38.14%
Risk-free interest rate 0.29 % 1.59% - 2.28%
2.62% - 3.01%
Expected term (in years) 3.00 3.00 3.00
Using the Monte Carlo simulation, the weighted average estimated fair value of the MSUs granted in fiscal year 2021 was $83.96. A summary of the activity for MSUs in fiscal year 2021, 2020, and 2019 is presented below (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):
Shares Weighted
Average
Fair Value
March 31, 2018 199 $ 56.16
Granted 68 53.13
Vested - -
Forfeited (101) 43.41
March 30, 2019 166 $ 62.77
Granted 45 95.89
Vested - -
Forfeited (58) 73.25
March 28, 2020 153 $ 68.71
Granted 28 83.96
Vested - -
Forfeited (48) 64.92
March 27, 2021 133 $ 73.29
The aggregate intrinsic value of MSUs outstanding as of March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019 was $11.0 million, $9.5 million, and $7.0 million, respectively. Additional information with regard to outstanding MSUs that are expected to vest as of March 27, 2021 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):
Shares Weighted
Average
Fair Value Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Term (years)
Expected to vest 126 $ 72.71 1.29
No MSUs became vested in fiscal years 2021, 2020 or 2019.
14. Commitments and Contingencies
Facilities and Equipment Under Operating Lease Agreements
We currently own our corporate headquarters and select surrounding properties. We lease certain of our other facilities and certain equipment under operating lease agreements, some of which have renewal options. Certain of these arrangements provide for lease payment increases based upon future fair market rates. As of March 27, 2021, our principal facilities are located in Austin, Texas and Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Total rent expense under operating leases was approximately $19.2 million, $18.4 million, and $12.7 million, for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Rental income was $1.4 million, $1.3 million, and $0.2 million, for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
See Note 10 - Leases for minimum future rental commitments and income under all operating leases as of March 27, 2021.
Wafer, Assembly, Test and Other Purchase Commitments
We rely primarily on third-party foundries for our wafer manufacturing needs. Generally, our foundry agreements do not have volume purchase commitments and primarily provide for purchase commitments based on purchase orders. Cancellation fees or other charges may apply and are generally dependent upon whether wafers have been started or the stage of the manufacturing process at which the notice of cancellation is given. As of March 27, 2021, we had foundry commitments of $220.2 million.
In addition to our wafer supply arrangements, we contract with third-party assembly vendors to package the wafer die into finished products. Assembly vendors provide fixed-cost-per-unit pricing, as is common in the semiconductor industry. We had non-cancelable assembly purchase orders with numerous vendors totaling $4.0 million at March 27, 2021.
Test vendors provide fixed-cost-per-unit pricing, as is common in the semiconductor industry. Our total non-cancelable commitment for outside test services as of March 27, 2021 was $8.1 million.
Other purchase commitments primarily relate to multi-year tool commitments, and were $70.1 million at March 27, 2021.
15. Legal Matters
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities. We regularly evaluate the status of legal proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate. We further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of possible loss or range of loss can be made. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that there are any pending matters that could potentially have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
16. Stockholders' Equity
Share Repurchase Program
In January 2019, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $200 million of the Company's common stock. As of March 27, 2021, the Company had repurchased 2.7 million shares at a cost of $190.0 million, or an average cost of $70.50 per share. All of these shares were repurchased in the open market and were funded from existing cash. All shares of our common stock that were repurchased were retired as of March 27, 2021. Approximately $10.0 million remains available for repurchase under this plan. In January 2021, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $350 million of the Company’s common stock. As of March 27, 2021, no shares have been repurchased under the new plan.
Preferred Stock
We have 5.0 million shares of Preferred Stock authorized. As of March 27, 2021, we have not issued any of the authorized shares.
17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as available-for-sale, and cumulative effects of adopting new accounting standards.
The following table summarizes the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):
Foreign
Currency Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on Securities Cumulative Effect of Adoption of ASU 2018-02 Total
Balance, March 30, 2019 $ (1,636) $ 570 $ - $ (1,066)
Current period foreign exchange translation 68 - - 68
Current period marketable securities activity - (2,803) - (2,803)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02 - - (257) (257)
Tax effect - 589 - 589
Balance, March 28, 2020 $ (1,568) $ (1,644) $ (257) $ (3,469)
Current period foreign exchange translation 1,862 - - 1,862
Current period marketable securities activity - 5,673 - 5,673
Tax effect - (1,191) - (1,191)
Balance, March 27, 2021 $ 294 $ 2,838 $ (257) $ 2,875
18. Income Taxes
Income before income taxes consisted of (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
U.S. $ 19,189 $ 44,154 $ 41,980
Non-U.S. 226,057 137,112 51,764
$ 245,246 $ 181,266 $ 93,744
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
Current:
U.S. $ 981 $ 5,241 $ (7,109)
Non-U.S. 32,428 21,634 12,428
Total current tax provision $ 33,409 $ 26,875 $ 5,319
Deferred:
U.S. (192) (561) 5,441
Non-U.S. (5,315) (4,546) (7,007)
Total deferred tax provision (5,507) (5,107) (1,566)
Total tax provision $ 27,902 $ 21,768 $ 3,753
The effective income tax rates differ from the rates computed by applying the statutory federal rate to pretax income as follows (in percentages):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
U.S. federal statutory rate 21.0 21.0 21.0
Foreign income taxed at different rates (8.4) (5.5) (2.9)
Transition tax on deferred foreign income - - (11.8)
Remeasurement of U.S. deferred tax balance - - (0.1)
Research and development tax credits - - (6.7)
Stock-based compensation (0.8) (2.7) (1.0)
Foreign-derived intangible income deduction (0.3) (0.8) (2.8)
Current U.S. tax on foreign earnings 0.4 1.1 2.2
Change in valuation allowance - (0.1) 4.4
Release of prior year unrecognized tax benefits (1.4) (2.3) -
Interest related to unrecognized tax benefits 0.3 0.5 1.6
Other 0.6 0.8 0.1
Effective tax rate 11.4 12.0 4.0
The Tax Act was enacted on December 22, 2017 and required companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax-deferred. We elected to pay the transition tax over the eight-year period provided in the Tax Act. As of March 27, 2021, the remaining balance of our transition tax obligation is $27.0 million, which will be paid over the next five years.
On July 27, 2015, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion in Altera Corp. et al. v. Commissioner which concluded that the regulations relating to the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in intercompany cost-sharing arrangements were invalid. In 2016 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the “Ninth Circuit”). On July 24, 2018, the Ninth Circuit issued a decision that was subsequently withdrawn and a reconstituted panel conferred on the appeal. On June 7, 2019, the Ninth Circuit reversed the decision of the U.S. Tax Court and upheld the cost-sharing regulations. On February 10, 2020, Altera Corp. filed a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari with the Supreme Court of the United States, which was denied by the Supreme Court on June 22, 2020. Although the issue is now resolved within the Ninth Circuit, the Ninth Circuit's opinion is not binding in other circuits. The potential impact of this issue on the Company, which is not located within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit, is unclear at this time. We will continue to monitor developments related to this issue and the potential impact of those developments on the Company's current and prior fiscal years.
Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020 are (in thousands):
March 27,
2021 March 28,
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses and allowances $ 4,354 $ 2,750
Net operating loss carryforwards 1,781 2,093
Research and development tax credit carryforwards 12,753 13,066
Stock-based compensation 10,995 8,380
Lease liabilities 17,672 18,095
Other - 1,260
Total deferred tax assets $ 47,555 $ 45,644
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (12,782) (12,596)
Net deferred tax assets $ 34,773 $ 33,048
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization $ 4,059 $ 5,425
Right of use asset 16,987 17,391
Acquisition intangibles 3,100 4,645
Other 650 -
Total deferred tax liabilities $ 24,796 $ 27,461
Total net deferred tax assets $ 9,977 $ 5,587
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated tax impact of temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established against a deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Our valuation allowance increased by $0.2 million in fiscal year 2021 due to current year operations. The Company maintains a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets primarily relating to certain state net operating loss and state tax credit carryforwards due to the likelihood that they will expire or go unutilized. Management believes that the Company’s results from future operations will generate sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdictions and of the appropriate character such that it is more likely than not that the remaining deferred tax assets will be realized.
At March 27, 2021, the Company had gross federal net operating loss carryforwards of $4.4 million, all of which related to acquired companies and are, therefore, subject to certain limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal net operating loss carryforwards expire in fiscal years 2022 through 2031. In addition, at March 27, 2021 the Company had gross foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $0.3 million that do not expire and gross state net operating loss carryforwards of $12.2 million that expire in fiscal years 2022 through 2029. In addition, the Company had $12.9 million of state business tax, minimum tax, and research and development tax credit carryforwards. Certain of these state tax credits will expire in fiscal years 2022 through 2034, and others do not expire.
At March 27, 2021, unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries that can be distributed without tax consequence, other than withholding taxes that may apply based on the jurisdiction of the subsidiary, are not expected to be indefinitely reinvested. No taxes have been accrued for foreign withholding taxes on these earnings as these amounts are not material. We have not provided additional income taxes for other outside basis differences inherent in our foreign entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to all other outside basis differences in these entities is not practicable at this time.
The following table summarizes the changes in the unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
March 27,
2021 March 28,
Beginning balance $ 36,208 $ 39,746
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year - 615
Reductions based on tax positions related to the prior years (3,329) (4,153)
Ending balance $ 32,879 $ 36,208
At March 27, 2021, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $32.9 million, all of which would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. During fiscal year 2021, the Company recorded a decrease of $3.3 million related to prior year unrecognized tax positions. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are classified as “Non-current income taxes” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. During fiscal years 2021 and 2020 we recognized interest expense, net of tax, of approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The total amount of interest accrued as of March 27, 2021 was $4.1 million.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. Fiscal years 2017 through 2021 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject, although carry forward attributes that were generated in tax years prior to fiscal year 2017 may be adjusted upon examination by the tax authorities if they have been, or will be, used in a future period. The Company's fiscal year 2017, 2018, and 2019 federal income tax returns are under examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Company believes it has accrued adequate reserves related to the matters under examination. The Company is not under an income tax audit in any other major taxing jurisdiction.
19. Segment Information
We determine our operating segments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidelines. Our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) has been identified as the chief operating decision maker under these guidelines.
The Company operates and tracks its results in one reportable segment, but reports revenue performance in two product lines: Audio and High-Performance Mixed-Signal. Our CEO receives and uses enterprise-wide financial information to assess financial performance and allocate resources, rather than detailed information at a product line level. Additionally, our product lines have similar characteristics and customers. They share operations support functions such as sales, public relations, supply chain management, various research and development and engineering support, in addition to the general and administrative functions of human resources, legal, finance and information technology. Therefore, there is no complete, discrete financial information maintained for these product lines. Revenue by product line is disclosed in Note 9 - Revenues. Geographic details of revenue and property, plant and equipment are included below.
Geographic Area
The following illustrates sales by ship to location of the customer (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
2020 March 30,
China $ 1,024,178 $ 975,090 $ 922,202
Hong Kong 170,605 205,314 166,460
South Korea 42,403 12,218 856
Japan 32,124 8,149 9,210
United States 21,708 17,099 26,182
Rest of World 78,212 63,254 60,614
Total consolidated sales $ 1,369,230 $ 1,281,124 $ 1,185,524
The following illustrates property, plant and equipment, net, by geographic locations, based on physical location (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended
March 27,
2021 March 28,
United States $ 116,649 $ 117,690
United Kingdom 29,895 36,049
Rest of World 8,398 4,505
Total consolidated property, plant and equipment, net $ 154,942 $ 158,244
20. Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
The following quarterly results have been derived from our audited annual consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, this unaudited quarterly information has been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and includes all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this quarterly information. This information should be read along with the financial statements and related notes. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.
The unaudited quarterly statement of operations data for each quarter of fiscal years 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
Fiscal Year 2021
1st
Quarter 2nd
Quarter 3rd
Quarter 4th
Quarter
Net sales $ 242,573 $ 347,325 $ 485,795 $ 293,537
Gross profit 127,472 180,210 251,500 148,119
Net income 18,209 59,486 114,368 25,281
Basic income per share $ 0.31 $ 1.02 $ 1.97 $ 0.44
Diluted income per share 0.30 0.99 1.91 0.42
Fiscal Year 2020
1st
Quarter 2nd
Quarter 3rd
Quarter 4th
Quarter
Net sales $ 238,253 $ 388,912 $ 374,668 $ 279,291
Gross profit 122,494 207,933 197,505 146,235
Net income 4,618 76,210 68,512 10,158
Basic income per share $ 0.08 $ 1.31 $ 1.18 $ 0.17
Diluted income per share 0.08 1.27 1.13 0.17

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO), the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon the evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 27, 2021.
Management’s Annual 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 under Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).
Because of its inherent limitation, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 27, 2021, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2021, included in Item 8 of this report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 27, 2021, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART III

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information set forth in the proxy statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 30, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”) under the headings Corporate Governance, Proposals to be Voted on - Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors, and Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports, if applicable, is incorporated herein by reference. The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct ("the Code") that applies to all of its directors, officers, and employees. A copy of the Code can be found within the Corporate Governance section of our “Investors” page on our website at investor.cirrus.com. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements of the SEC regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the Code by posting such information on the same website.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
The information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings Director Compensation Arrangements, Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Compensation Committee Report, Consideration of Risk Related to Compensation Programs, Executive Compensation Tables, Pay Ratio Disclosure, and Proposals to be Voted on - Proposal No. 3 - Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation is incorporated herein by reference. .

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings Equity Compensation Plan Information and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Corporate Governance is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings Audit and Non-Audit Fees and Services and Proposal No. 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
1.Consolidated Financial Statements
▪Reports of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
▪Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020.
▪Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019.
▪Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019.
▪Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019.
▪Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019.
▪Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2.Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3.Exhibits
The following exhibits are files as part of or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Number Description
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 26, 1998. (1)
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant. (2)
4.1 Description of Securities. (13)
10.1+ Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of May 26, 2015. (6)
10.2+ Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (3)
10.3+ Form of Stock Option Agreement for options for U.K. Employees under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (9)
10.4+ Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option for options granted under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (3)
10.5+ Form of Stock Option Agreement for Outside Directors under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (5)
10.6+ Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for U.S. Employees under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (4)
10.7+ Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for U.K. Employees under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (8)
10.8+ Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units granted under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (4)
10.9+ Form of Performance Award Agreement for U.S. Employees under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (7)
10.10+ Form of Notice of Performance Award Agreement for U.S. Employees under the Cirrus Logic Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (8)
10.11+ Form of Performance Award Agreement for U.K. Employees under the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. (9)
10.12+ Executive Severance and Change of Control Plan, effective as of October 1, 2007, as amended and restated on April 1, 2018. (11)
10.13+ 2007 Management and Key Individual Contributor Incentive Plan, as amended on May 20, 2016. (9)
10.14+ Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan. (12)
10.15+ First Amendment to the Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan (15)
10.16+ Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. (12)
10.17+ Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units. (12)
10.18+ Form of Performance Award Agreement. (12)
10.19+ Form of Notice of Grant of Performance Award. (12)
10.20+ Form of Stock Option Agreement. (12)
10.21+ Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option. (12)
10.22+ Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Award. (12)
10.23+ Transition Agreement, dated October 30, 2020. (14)
10.24 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and Initial Issuing Lender, and Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent. (10)
21.1 List of Subsidiaries.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1 Power of Attorney (see signature page).
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(1) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, filed with the SEC on June 22, 2001 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(2) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 26, 2021 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(3) Incorporated by reference from Registration’s Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 1, 2006 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(4) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 7, 2010.
(5) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 1, 2007.
(6) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on June 2, 2015.
(7) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 22, 2014.
(8) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 27, 2015 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(9) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 25, 2016 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(10) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 15, 2016 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(11) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 30, 2018 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(12) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 3, 2018 (Registration No. 333-226578).
(13) Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 3, 2020 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(14) Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 2, 2020 (Registration No. 000-17795).
(15) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on June 3, 2020 (Registration No. 000-17795).