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Rambus Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Results

Business and Financial Highlights for the Year:

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — January 26, 2015 — Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS), the innovative technology solutions company that brings invention to market, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

GAAP Financial Results:

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $72.0 million, up 3% on a sequential basis from the third quarter of 2014 primarily due to higher contract revenue. As compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, revenue was down 2% primarily due to lower royalty revenue from Samsung and NVIDIA, offset by the royalty revenue from Qualcomm and Micron Technology.

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $296.6 million, which was up 9% over the prior year period, primarily due to the license agreements signed with SK hynix, Micron Technology, Nanya Technology Corporation and Qualcomm, partially offset by lower royalty revenue from Samsung and NVIDIA.

Total operating costs and expenses for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $54.5 million, 1% lower than the previous quarter and 19% lower than the fourth quarter of 2013. Fourth quarter operating costs and expenses of $54.5 million included $3.5 million of stock-based compensation expenses and $6.3 million of amortization expenses. In comparison, total operating costs and expenses for the third quarter of 2014 of $55.2 million included $3.4 million of stock-based compensation expenses and $6.7 million of amortization expenses. Total operating costs and expenses for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $67.2 million, which included $3.1 million of stock-based compensation expenses, $9.7 million of impairment of long-lived assets, $2.2 million of restructuring charges, $7.5 million of amortization expenses and $1.5 million of retention bonus expense from acquisitions. The change in total operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 was primarily due to recognition of a one-time gain in the fourth quarter from sale of intellectual property, partially offset by an increase in prototyping costs. The change in total operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 was primarily attributable to impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of 2013, gain from sale of intellectual property in the fourth quarter of 2014 and lower retention bonus expense from acquisitions partially offset by higher cost of sales due to increased sale of lighting products.

Total operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $221.2 million, 11% lower than the year ended December 31, 2013. The year ended December 31, 2014 operating costs and expenses of $221.2 million included $14.7 million of stock-based compensation expenses, $26.6 million of amortization expenses and $2.5 million of retention bonus expense from acquisitions. This is compared to total operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $249.0 million, which included $15.0 million of stock-based compensation expenses, $17.8 million of impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, $5.5 million of restructuring charges, $9.0 million one-time reversal of accrued SK hynix and Micron related litigation costs, $28.9 million of amortization expenses and $10.4 million of retention bonus expense from acquisitions. The change in total operating costs and expenses was primarily attributable to impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and restructuring charges in 2013 and lower retention bonus expense from acquisitions, partially offset by higher cost of sales due to increased sale of lighting products and as a result of the one-time reversal of accrued SK hynix related litigation costs in the second quarter of 2013.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $7.8 million as compared to net income of $5.5 million in the third quarter of 2014 and net loss of $9.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Diluted net income per share for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $0.07 as compared to diluted net income per share of $0.05 in the third quarter of 2014 and diluted net loss per share of $0.09 in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $26.2 million as compared to a net loss of $33.7 million for the same period of 2013. Diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $0.22 as compared to a diluted net loss per share of $0.30 for the same period of 2013.

Non-GAAP Financial Results (1):

Total non-GAAP operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $44.6 million, 1% lower than the previous quarter, and 2% higher than the fourth quarter of 2013.

Total non-GAAP operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $177.4 million as compared to $180.0 million in the same period of 2013 due primarily to lower litigation expenses offset by higher cost of sales due to increased sale of lighting products.

Non-GAAP net income in the fourth quarter of 2014 was $16.7 million, 13% higher than the prior quarter and 2% higher than the fourth quarter of 2013. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.14 in the fourth quarter of 2014 as compared to $0.13 in the prior quarter and $0.14 in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Non-GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $70.1 million as compared to $49.7 million in the same period of 2013. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.60 for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to non-GAAP diluted net income per share of $0.43 for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Other Financial Highlights:

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of December 31, 2014 were $300.1 million, an increase of $29.0 million from September 30, 2014.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded an income tax provision of approximately $6.8 million. As the Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets, the Company’s tax provision consists of primarily foreign withholding taxes.

2015 First Quarter and Annual Outlook:

For the first quarter of 2015, the Company expects revenue to be between $70 million and $75 million. For 2015, the Company expects revenue to be between $300 million and $315 million. Revenue is not without risk and includes expectations that the Company will sign new customers for patent as well as solutions licensing and renew or extend agreements with existing customers.

Conference Call:

The Company will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PT today to discuss its financial results. The call, audio and slides will be available online at investor.rambus.com. A replay will be available following the call as a webcast on the Rambus Investor Relations website and for one week at the following numbers: (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) with ID#64238473.

(1) Non-GAAP Financial Information:

In the commentary set forth above and in the financial statements included in this earnings release, the Company presents the following non-GAAP financial measures: operating costs and expenses, operating income (loss) and net income (loss). In computing each of these non-GAAP financial measures, the following items were considered as discussed below: stock-based compensation expenses, acquisition-related transaction costs and retention bonus expense, amortization expenses, costs of restatement and related legal activities, restructuring charges, impairment charges, severance costs, non-cash interest expense and certain other one-time adjustments. The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated. Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate for both its own assessment of, and to show investors, how the Company’s performance compares to other periods. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliation from GAAP to non-GAAP results is included in the financial statements contained in this release.

The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items:

Stock-based compensation expense. These expenses primarily relate to employee stock options, employee stock purchase plans, and employee non-vested equity stock and non-vested stock units. The Company excludes stock-based compensation expense from its non-GAAP measures primarily because such expenses are non-cash expenses that the Company does not believe are reflective of ongoing operating results. Additionally, given the fact that other companies may grant different amounts and types of equity awards and may use different option valuation assumptions, excluding stock-based compensation expense permits more accurate comparisons of the Company’s results with peer companies.

Acquisition-related transaction costs and retention bonus expense. These expenses include all direct costs of certain acquisitions and the current periods’ portion of any retention bonus expense associated with the acquisitions. The Company excludes these expenses in order to provide better comparability between periods.

Restructuring charges. These charges may consist of severance, contractual retention payments, exit costs and other charges and are excluded because such charges are not directly related to ongoing business results and do not reflect expected future operating expenses.

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets. These charges consist of non-cash charges to goodwill and long-lived assets and are excluded because such charges are non-recurring and do not reduce the Company’s liquidity.

Amortization expense. The Company incurs expenses for the amortization of intangible assets acquired in acquisitions. The Company excludes these items because these expenses are not reflective of ongoing operating results in the period incurred. These amounts arise from the Company’s prior acquisitions and have no direct correlation to the operation of the Company’s core business.

Costs of restatement and related legal activities. These expenses consist primarily of investigation, audit, legal and other professional fees related to the 2006-2007 stock option investigation and related litigation, as well as recoveries received from third parties. The Company excludes these costs and recoveries from its non-GAAP measures primarily because the Company believes that these non-recurring costs and recoveries have no direct correlation to the operation of the Company’s core business.

Non-cash interest expense on convertible notes. The Company incurs non-cash interest expense related to its convertible notes. The Company excludes non-cash interest expense related to its convertible notes to provide more accurate comparisons of the Company’s results with other peer companies and to more accurately reflect the Company’s ongoing operations.

Reversal of one-time litigation costs. These adjustments are a one-time litigation cost reversal of prior litigation costs accrued related to previously awarded costs that the Company was required to pay in connection with the SK hynix and Micron Technology litigation. The Company excludes these reversals from its non-GAAP measures because the Company believes that these reversals have no direct correlation to the operations of the Company’s core business and they are a one-time event.

Severance costs. These expenses relate to the separation payment to the Company’s former chief executive officer. The Company excludes these costs from its non-GAAP measures because the Company believes that these non-recurring costs have no direct correlation to the operations of the Company’s core business.

Income tax adjustments. For purposes of internal forecasting, planning and analyzing future periods that assume net income from operations, the Company estimates a fixed, long-term projected tax rate of approximately 36 percent, which consists of estimated U.S. federal and state tax rates, and excludes tax rates associated with certain items such as withholding tax, tax credits and deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Accordingly, the Company has applied the 36 percent tax rate to its non-GAAP financial results for all periods to assist the Company’s planning for future periods. The Company has provided below a reconciliation of its GAAP provision for income taxes and GAAP effective tax rate to the assumed non-GAAP provision for income taxes and non-GAAP effective tax rate.

On occasion in the future, there may be other items, such as significant gains or losses from contingencies that the Company may exclude in deriving its non-GAAP financial measures if it believes that doing so is consistent with the goal of providing useful information to investors and management.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including relating to Rambus’ expectations regarding 2015 revenue for the first quarter and year, and estimated, fixed, long-term projected tax rates. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by Rambus’ management. Actual results may differ materially. Rambus’ business generally is subject to a number of risks which are described more fully in Rambus’ periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rambus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

About Rambus Inc.

Rambus brings invention to market. Our customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, and training improve the competitive advantage of our customers’ products while accelerating their time-to-market. Rambus products and innovations capture, secure and move data. For more information, visit www.rambus.com.

RMBSFN

                   
 

Rambus Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

December 31,

2014

December 31,

2013

ASSETS
 
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 154,126 $ 338,696
Marketable securities 145,983 48,966
Accounts receivable 6,001 2,251
Prepaids and other current assets 8,541 8,253
Deferred taxes 187   205
Total current assets 314,838 398,371
Intangible assets, net 89,371 117,172
Goodwill 116,899 116,899
Property, plant and equipment, net 64,023 72,642
Deferred taxes, long-term 536 4,797
Other assets 2,612   3,498
Total assets $ 588,279   $ 713,379
 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 6,962 $ 7,001
Accrued salaries and benefits 14,840 33,448
Convertible notes, short-term 164,047
Other accrued liabilities 12,856   8,346
Total current liabilities 34,658 212,842
Long-term liabilities:
Convertible notes, long-term 115,089 109,629
Long-term imputed financing obligation 39,063 39,349
Other long-term liabilities 7,847   11,330
Total long-term liabilities 161,999   160,308
Total stockholders’ equity 391,622   340,229
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 588,279   $ 713,379
               
 

Rambus Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

  Year Ended

December 31,

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 
 
Revenue:
Royalties $ 64,134 $ 69,867 $ 271,521 $ 264,111
Contract and other revenue 7,906   3,555   25,037   7,390  
Total revenue 72,040 73,422 296,558 271,501
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (1) 10,748 10,358 41,947 33,215
Research and development (1) 28,445 26,803 110,025 117,981
Sales, general and administrative (1) 19,131 18,511 74,770 76,467
Restructuring charges 2,211 39 5,546
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets 9,681 17,751
Gain from sale of intellectual property (3,359 ) (3,529 ) (1,388 )
Gain from settlement (510 ) (356 ) (2,040 ) (535 )
Total operating costs and expenses 54,455   67,208   221,212   249,037  
Operating income 17,585 6,214 75,346 22,464
Interest income and other income (expense), net 156 (223 ) (276 ) (1,596 )
Interest expense (3,065 ) (9,595 ) (24,820 ) (32,885 )
Interest and other income (expense), net (2,909 ) (9,818 ) (25,096 ) (34,481 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 14,676 (3,604 ) 50,250 (12,017 )
Provision for income taxes 6,835   6,173   24,049   21,731  
Net income (loss) $ 7,841   $ (9,777 ) $ 26,201   $ (33,748 )
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic $ 0.07   $ (0.09 ) $ 0.23   $ (0.30 )
Diluted $ 0.07   $ (0.09 ) $ 0.22   $ (0.30 )
Weighted average shares used in per share calculation
Basic 115,024   113,217   114,318   112,415  
Diluted 117,620   113,217   117,624   112,415  
 
 

_________

(1) Total stock-based compensation expense for the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented as follows:

 
 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Year Ended

December 31,

 

2014

2013

2014

2013

Cost of revenue

$

10

$

7

$

44

$

19

Research and development

$

1,642

$

1,431

$

7,216

$

6,597

Sales, general and administrative

$

1,883

$

1,658

$

7,470

$

8,365

 
                 
 

 

Rambus Inc.

Supplemental Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended Year Ended

December 31,

2014

   

September 30,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

December 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 
Operating costs and expenses $ 54,455 $ 55,244 $ 67,208 $ 221,212 $ 249,037
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense (3,535 ) (3,441 ) (3,096 ) (14,730 ) (14,981 )
Acquisition-related transaction costs and retention bonus expense (6 ) (6 ) (1,463 ) (2,475 ) (10,372 )
Amortization expense (6,323 ) (6,741 ) (7,489 ) (26,618 ) (28,909 )
Reversal of one-time litigation costs 566 9,048
Restructuring charges (2,211 ) (39 ) (5,546 )
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets (9,681 ) (17,751 )
Severance costs (514 )
Costs of restatement and related legal activities         (19 )
Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses $ 44,591   $ 45,056   $ 43,834   $ 177,350   $ 179,993  
 
Operating income $ 17,585 $ 14,468 $ 6,214 $ 75,346 $ 22,464
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense 3,535 3,441 3,096 14,730 14,981
Acquisition-related transaction costs and retention bonus expense 6 6 1,463 2,475 10,372
Amortization expense 6,323 6,741 7,489 26,618 28,909
Reversal of one-time litigation costs (566 ) (9,048 )
Restructuring charges 2,211 39 5,546
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets 9,681 17,751
Severance costs 514
Costs of restatement and related legal activities         19  
Non-GAAP operating income $ 27,449   $ 24,656   $ 29,588   $ 119,208   $ 91,508  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes $ 14,676 $ 10,860 $ (3,604 ) $ 50,250 $ (12,017 )
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense 3,535 3,441 3,096 14,730 14,981
Acquisition-related transaction costs and retention bonus expense 6 6 1,463 2,475 10,372
Amortization expense 6,323 6,741 7,489 26,618 28,909
Reversal of one-time litigation costs (566 ) (9,048 )
Restructuring charges 2,211 39 5,546
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets 9,681 17,751
Severance costs 514
Costs of restatement and related legal activities 19
Impairment of investment 600 600 1,400
Non-cash interest expense on convertible notes 1,536   1,515   5,927   14,762   19,296  
Non-GAAP income before income taxes $ 26,076 $ 23,163 $ 25,697 $ 109,474 $ 77,723
GAAP provision for income taxes 6,835 5,347 6,173 24,049 21,731
Adjustment to GAAP provision for income taxes 2,552   2,992   3,078   15,362   6,249  
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes 9,387   8,339   9,251   39,411   27,980  
Non-GAAP net income $ 16,689   $ 14,824   $ 16,446   $ 70,063   $ 49,743  
 
Non-GAAP basic net income per share $ 0.15 $ 0.13 $ 0.15 $ 0.61 $ 0.44
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share $ 0.14 $ 0.13 $ 0.14 $ 0.60 $ 0.43
Weighted average shares used in non-GAAP per share calculation:
Basic 115,024 114,523 113,217 114,318 112,415
Diluted 117,620 118,206 116,211 117,624 115,670
 
 

Supplemental Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Effective Tax Rate (1)

                Three Months Ended       Year Ended

December 31,

2014

   

September 30,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

December 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 
GAAP effective tax rate

47

%

 

49

%

 

171

%

 

48

%

 

181

%

 

Adjustment to GAAP effective tax rate

(11

)%

 

(13

)%

 

(135

)%

 

(12

)%

 

(145

)%

 

Non-GAAP effective tax rate

36

%

 

36

%

 

36

%

 

36

%

 

36

%

 

 

(1) For purposes of internal forecasting, planning and analyzing future periods that assume net income from operations, the Company estimates a fixed, long-term projected tax rate of approximately 36 percent, which consists of estimated U.S. federal and state tax rates, and excludes tax rates associated with certain items such as withholding tax, tax credits and deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Accordingly, the Company has applied the 36 percent tax rate to its non-GAAP financial results for all periods to assist the Company’s planning for future periods.



Contact:

Rambus Inc.
Linda Ashmore, 408-462-8411
Corporate Communications
Email Contact
or
Rambus Inc.
Nicole Noutsios, 408-462-8050
Investor Relations
Email Contact