form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 
x
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

Or

 
o
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from                 to
 
Commission File Number 000-24085

AXT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
 
94-3031310
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(510) 683-5900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
     
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  YES o NO x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
 
Outstanding at July 27, 2012
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
 
32,352,455



 
 

 

AXT, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
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2

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011 (1)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 31,281     $ 26,156  
Short-term investments
    11,465       5,505  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $184 and $124 as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
    22,367       17,966  
Inventories
    40,869       46,012  
Related party notes receivable – current
    415       412  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    5,685       7,052  
Total current assets
    112,082       103,103  
Long-term investments
    4,322       8,981  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    35,316       34,282  
Related party notes receivable – long-term
    2,036       2,021  
Other assets
    13,918       14,101  
Total assets
  $ 167,674     $ 162,488  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 5,860     $ 3,286  
Accrued liabilities
    8,360       7,597  
Total current liabilities
    14,220       10,883  
Long-term portion of royalty payments
    3,725       4,125  
Other long-term liabilities
    131       431  
Total liabilities
    18,076       15,439  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 883 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively (Liquidation preference of $5.8 million and $5.8 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
    3,532       3,532  
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 70,000 shares authorized; 32,352 and 32,222 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
    32       32  
Additional paid-in capital
    192,346       191,554  
Accumulated deficit
    (59,223 )     (62,157 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    6,163       5,818  
Total AXT, Inc. stockholders’ equity
    142,850       138,779  
                 
Noncontrolling interests
    6,748       8,270  
Total stockholders’ equity
    149,598       147,049  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 167,674     $ 162,488  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


(1)
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.
 
 
3

 
AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Revenue
  $ 25,153     $ 30,031     $ 48,639     $ 54,597  
Cost of revenue
    17,645       16,005       32,937       29,911  
Gross profit
    7,508       14,026       15,702       24,686  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling, general and administrative
    3,974       3,714       7,759       7,404  
Research and development
    914       699       1,749       1,204  
Total operating expenses
    4,888       4,413       9,508       8,608  
Income from operations
    2,620       9,613       6,194       16,078  
Interest income, net
    62       69       150       156  
Other income (expense), net
    157       450       (178 )     87  
                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    2,839       10,132       6,166       16,321  
Provision for income taxes
    (412 )     (1,064 )     (787 )     (1,966 )
Net income
    2,427       9,068       5,379       14,355  
                                 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (1,128 )     (2,006 )     (2,445 )     (3,085 )
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc.
  $ 1,299     $ 7,062     $ 2,934     $ 11,270  
                                 
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.04     $ 0.22     $ 0.09     $ 0.35  
Diluted
  $ 0.04     $ 0.21     $ 0.09     $ 0.34  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    32,138       31,831       32,086       31,775  
Diluted
    32,944       33,093       32,981       33,146  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Net income
  $ 2,427     $ 9,068     $ 5,379     $ 14,355  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
Change in foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax
    (27 )     759       311       917  
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax
    6       20       106       (27 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    (21 )     779       417       890  
Comprehensive income
    2,406       9,847       5,796       15,245  
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
    (1,133 )     (2,139 )     (2,517 )     (3,261 )
Comprehensive income attributable to AXT, Inc.
  $ 1,273     $ 7,708     $ 3,279     $ 11,984  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)

   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 5,379     $ 14,355  
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,841       1,663  
Amortization of marketable securities premium
    142       187  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    176       5  
Stock-based compensation
    573       422  
Realized loss on sale of investments
          8  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    (4,391 )     156  
Inventories
    5,172       (3,567 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,373       (4,547 )
Other assets
    182       309  
Accounts payable
    2,564       (3,369 )
Accrued liabilities
    267 *     (99 )
Other long-term liabilities
    (641 )     (613 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    12,637       4,910  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (2,978 )     (5,977 )
Purchases of available for sale securities
    (4,518 )     (11,831 )
Proceeds from available for sale securities
    3,180       13,663  
Investments in joint ventures
          (2,649 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (4,316 )     (6,794 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from common stock options exercised
    219       533  
Dividends paid by joint ventures
    (3,551 )*     (1,636 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (3,332 )     (1,103 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    136       341  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    5,125       (2,646 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
    26,156       23,724  
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 31,281     $ 21,078  
 
*
Dividend accrued but not paid by joint ventures of $488 was included in accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2012.
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
 
AXT, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Note 1.
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of AXT, Inc. (“AXT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to AXT, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries) are unaudited, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of our management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of AXT and our consolidated subsidiaries for all periods presented.

Our management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future or for the full fiscal year. It is recommended that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 15, 2012 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2012.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AXT and our majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in business entities in which we do not have control, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies (generally 20-50% ownership), are accounted for by the equity method. For majority-owned subsidiaries, we reflect the noncontrolling interests of the portion we do not own on our condensed consolidated balance sheets in equity and in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 2.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board “FASB” Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which established accounting for stock-based awards exchanged for employee services. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost is measured at each grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period of the award. We utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of the stock options granted. The amortization of stock compensation under ASC 718 is based on the single-option approach. All of our stock compensation is accounted for as equity instruments.
 
 
7

 
The following table summarizes compensation costs related to our stock-based awards (in thousands, except per share data):

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock awards, included in:
                       
                         
Cost of revenue
  $ 19     $ 20     $ 37     $ 40  
Selling, general and administrative
    238       183       476       359  
Research and development
    35       12       60       23  
                                 
Total stock-based compensation
    292       215       573       422  
Tax effect on stock-based compensation
                       
                                 
Net effect on net income
  $ 292     $ 215     $ 573     $ 422  
                                 
Effect on net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.02     $ 0.01  
Diluted
  $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.02     $ 0.01  
 
As of June 30, 2012, the compensation costs related to unvested stock options granted to employees under our stock option plan but not yet recognized was approximately $1.8 million, net of estimated forfeitures of $111,000. These costs will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures. We elected not to capitalize any stock-based compensation to inventory as of June 30, 2012 due to the immateriality of the amount.
 
There were 24,000 and zero stock options granted with weighted average grant date fair value of $2.15 and none in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. There were 104,000 and zero stock options granted with weighted average grant date fair value of $2.84 and none in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The fair value of our stock options granted to employees for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Expected term (in years)
    4.0             4.0        
Volatility
    74.82 %           73.74 %      
Expected dividend
    0 %           0 %      
Risk-free interest rate
    0.56 %           0.71 %      
 
 
8

 
The following table summarizes the stock option transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):

   
Shares
   
Weighted-
average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted-
 average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(in years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                         
Options outstanding as of January 1, 2012
    2,380     $ 3.25       6.25     $ 3,456  
                                 
Granted
    104       5.22                  
                                 
Exercised
    (100 )     2.19                  
                                 
Canceled and expired
    (30 )     9.69                  
                                 
Options outstanding as of June 30, 2012
    2,354     $ 3.30       6.23     $ 2,960  
                                 
Options vested and expected to vest as of June 30, 2012
    2,309     $ 3.27       6.18     $ 2,947  
                                 
Options exercisable as of June 30, 2012
    1,446     $ 2.65       4.78     $ 2,465  

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on our closing price of $3.95 on June 30, 2012, which would have been received by the option holder had all option holders exercised their options on that date. The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of June 30, 2012 was 1,122,263.

The options outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2012 were in the following exercise price ranges:

Options Outstanding as of June 30, 2012
 
Options Exercisable
as of June 30, 2012
 
Range of Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual Life
in years
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
$1.18 - $1.38  
407,001
 
$
1.31
 
1.99
 
407,001
 
$
1.31
 
$1.40 - $1.40  
1,094
 
$
1.40
 
2.70
 
1,094
 
$
1.40
 
$1.59 - $1.59  
328,460
 
$
1.59
 
6.79
 
247,284
 
$
1.59
 
$1.88 - $1.91  
8,000
 
$
1.90
 
2.25
 
8,000
 
$
1.90
 
$2.04 - $2.04  
441,775
 
$
2.04
 
7.32
 
283,874
 
$
2.04
 
$2.19 - $4.09  
201,510
 
$
2.72
 
2.01
 
177,510
 
$
2.56
 
$4.79 - $4.79  
366,500
 
$
4.79
 
9.33
 
0
 
$
0.00
 
$4.81 - $5.61  
144,610
 
$
5.26
 
7.36
 
64,610
 
$
4.84
 
$5.83 - $5.83  
362,450
 
$
5.83
 
8.09
 
176,380
 
$
5.83
 
$6.31 - $7.82  
92,295
 
$
6.65
 
5.98
 
79,910
 
$
6.46
 
   
2,353,695
 
$
3.30
 
6.23
 
1,445,663
 
$
2.65
 

There were zero and 99,000 options exercised in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was zero and $612,000, respectively. There were 100,000 and 199,000 options exercised in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $365,000 and $1.2 million, respectively. Cash received from options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $219,000 and $533,000, respectively.
 
 
9

 
Restricted stock awards

A summary of activity related to restricted stock awards for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is presented below:

Stock Awards
 
Shares
   
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 
Non-vested as of January 1, 2012
    223,127     $ 4.47  
Granted
    30,768     $ 3.90  
Vested
    (54,825 )   $ 1.92  
Non-vested as of June 30, 2012
    199,070     $ 5.08  

There were 30,768 and 16,548 restricted stock awards granted with weighted average grant date fair value of $3.90 and $7.25 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. There were 54,825 and 49,313 shares of restricted stock awards vested with weighted average grant date fair value of $1.92 and $1.33 in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of June 30, 2012, we had $807,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards, which will be recognized over the weighted average period of 2.6 years.

Note 3.
Investments and Fair Value Measurements

Our cash, cash equivalents and investments are classified as follows (in thousands):

   
June 30, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
               
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gain
   
(Loss)
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Gain
   
(Loss)
   
Value
 
Classified as:
                                               
Cash
  $ 31,275     $     $     $ 31,275     $ 25,299     $     $     $ 25,299  
Cash equivalents:
                                                               
Money market fund
    6                   6       857                   857  
                                                                 
Total cash equivalents
    6                   6       857                   857  
                                                                 
Total cash and cash equivalents
    31,281                   31,281       26,156                   26,156  
                                                                 
Investments (Available for sale):
                                                               
Certificates of deposit
    6,399       5       (7 )     6,397       3,561       5       (3 )     3,563  
US Treasury and agency securities
    1,200                   1,200       1,200             (1 )     1,199  
Corporate bonds
    8,216       9       (35 )     8,190       9,859       2       (137 )     9,724  
Total investments
    15,815       14       (42 )     15,787       14,620       7       (141 )     14,486  
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments
  $ 47,096     $ 14     $ (42 )   $ 47,068     $ 40,776     $ 7     $ (141 )   $ 40,642  
Contractual maturities on investments:
                                                               
Due within 1 year
  $ 11,494                     $ 11,465     $ 5,521                     $ 5,505  
Due after 1 through 5 years
    4,321                       4,322       9,099                       8,981  
    $ 15,815                     $ 15,787     $ 14,620                     $ 14,486  

We manage our investments as a single portfolio of highly marketable securities that is intended to be available to meet our current cash requirements. We have no investments in auction rate securities. For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, we had none and $3,000 gross realized losses on sales of our available-for-sale securities, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, we had none and $8,000 gross realized losses on sales of our available-for-sale securities, respectively.

The gross unrealized losses related to our portfolio of available-for-sale securities were primarily due to changes in interest rates and market and credit conditions of the underlying securities. We have determined that the gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2012 are temporary in nature. We periodically review our investment portfolio to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
 
 
10

 
The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2012 (in thousands):

   
In Loss Position
< 12 months
   
In Loss Position
> 12 months
   
Total In
Loss Position
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
(Loss)
   
Value
   
(Loss)
   
Value
   
(Loss)
 
Investments:
                                   
Certificates of deposit
  $ 3,752     $ (7 )   $     $     $ 3,752     $ (7 )
Corporate bonds
                5,074       (35 )     5,074       (35 )
Total in loss position
  $ 3,752     $ (7 )   $ 5,074     $ (35 )   $ 8,826     $ (42 )

Investments in Privately-held Companies

We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access at a competitive cost to raw materials that are critical to our substrate business (see Note 10). The investment balances for the companies, including indirect minority investments in privately-held companies through our consolidated joint ventures, are accounted for under the equity method and are included in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $8.8 million and $8.3 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. We also maintain minority investments in other unconsolidated privately-held companies which are accounted for under the cost method. Our investments in these privately-held companies are reviewed for other than temporary declines in value on a quarterly basis. These are accounted for under the cost method as we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations. We monitor our investments for impairment and record reductions in carrying value when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reasons for other than temporary declines in value include whether the related company would have insufficient cash flow to operate for the next twelve months, significant changes in the operating performance and changes in market conditions. As of both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investments in these unconsolidated privately-held companies had a carrying value of $392,000 and are also included in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Fair Value Measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are valued using market prices on both active markets (Level 1) and less active markets (Level 2). Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets. Level 2 instrument valuations are obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments. Level 3 instrument valuations are obtained from unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions. As of June 30, 2012, we did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities. This hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, primarily consisting of our short-term and long-term investments.
 
The type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include our money market funds, which are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify all of our available-for-sale securities as having Level 2 inputs. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of these financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.
 
 
11

 
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, as of June 30, 2012 (in thousands):

   
Balance as of
June 30, 2012
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets of
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Assets:
                 
Cash equivalents and investments:
                 
Money market fund
  $ 6     $ 6     $  
Certificates of deposit
    6,397             6,397  
US Treasury and agency securities
    1,200             1,200  
Corporate bonds
    8,190             8,190  
Total
  $ 15,793     $ 6     $ 15,787  
Liabilities
  $     $     $  
 
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets that are subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements are not included in the table above. These assets include investments in privately-held companies accounted for by equity and cost methods (See Note 10). We did not record other-than-temporary impairment charges for either of these investments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

Note 4.
Inventories

The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Inventories, net:
           
Raw materials
  $ 18,036     $ 25,460  
Work in process
    17,103       15,753  
Finished goods
    5,730       4,799  
    $ 40,869     $ 46,012  

Note 5.
Related Party Transactions
 
In August 2011, our consolidated joint venture, Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd (JiYa), entered into a non-interest bearing note agreement in the amount of $1.7 million (Rmb 10,485,200) with one of its equity investment entities. Under the loan agreement, JiYa loaned $785,000 (Rmb 4,959,000) to its equity investment entity in August 2011 and the remaining amount of $874,000 (Rmb 5,526,200) was loaned during the three months ending March 31, 2012. The term of the loan is two years and ten months and the equity investment entity will repay JiYa in three installments with the first installment of $415,000 (Rmb 2,620,000) due in December 2012, the second installment of $829,000 (Rmb 5,240,000) due in December 2013, and last installment of $415,000 (Rmb 2,625,200) due in May 2014. As of June 30, 2012, we included $415,000 (Rmb 2,620,000) in “Related party notes receivable – short term” and $1.2 million (Rmb 7,865,200) in “Related party notes receivable – long term” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
In August 2011, our consolidated joint venture, Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd. loaned $791,000 (Rmb 5,000,000) to its equity investment entity for construction purposes. As of June 30, 2012, this balance was included in “Related party notes receivable – long term” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
 
12

 
Note 6.
 Accrued Liabilities
 
The components of accrued liabilities are summarized below (in thousands):
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Value-added taxes payable
  $ 1,521     $ 123  
Accrued compensation and related charges
    1,409       1,807  
Current portion of royalty payments
    1,025       1,375  
Accrued product warranty
    740       1,003  
Accrued professional services
    500       650  
Dividends payable by joint ventures
    488        
Advances from customers
    471       74  
Loan commitment for related party notes receivable
          868  
Other accrued liabilities
    2,206       1,697  
    $ 8,360     $ 7,597  

Note 7.
Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods less shares of common stock subject to repurchase and non-vested stock awards. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the periods. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded in net loss periods, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
 
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income per share calculations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Numerator:
                       
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc.
  $ 1,299     $ 7,062     $ 2,934     $ 11,270  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    (44 )     (44 )     (88 )     (88 )
                                 
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 1,255     $ 7,018     $ 2,846     $ 11,182  
Denominator:
                               
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted average common shares
    32,138       31,831       32,086       31,775  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Common stock options
    774       1,159       838       1,241  
Restricted stock awards
    32       103       57       130  
Denominator for dilutive net income per common share
    32,944       33,093       32,981       33,146  
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.04     $ 0.22     $ 0.09     $ 0.35  
Diluted
  $ 0.04     $ 0.21     $ 0.09     $ 0.34  
Options excluded from diluted net income per share as the impact is anti-dilutive
    997       418       907       406  
Restricted stock excluded from diluted net income per share as the impact is anti-dilutive
    14       186       15       186  
 
 
13

 
The 883,000 shares of $0.001 par value Series A preferred stock issued and outstanding as of both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, valued at $3,532,000 are non-voting and non-convertible preferred stock with a 5.0% cumulative annual dividend rate payable when declared by the board of directors and $4 per share liquidation preference over common stock, and must be paid before any distribution is made to common stockholders. These preferred shares were issued to Lyte Optronics, Inc. stockholders in connection with the completion of our acquisition of Lyte Optronics, Inc. on May 28, 1999.
 
Note 8.
Stockholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(in thousands)
 
   
Preferred
Stock
   
Common
Stock
   
Additional
Paid In Capital
   
Accumulated
Deficit
   
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(loss)
   
AXT, Inc.
Stockholders’
Equity
   
Noncontrolling
Interests
   
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Balance as of December 31, 2011
  $ 3,532     $ 32     $ 191,554     $ (62,157 )   $ 5,818     $ 138,779     $ 8,270     $ 147,049  
Common stock options exercised
                    219                       219               219  
Stock-based compensation
                    573                       573               573  
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
                            2,934               2,934       2,445       5,379  
Net dividends declared by joint ventures
                                                    (4,039 )     (4,039 )
Change in unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities
                                    106       106               106  
Currency translation adjustment
                                    239       239       72       311  
Balance as of June 30, 2012
  $ 3,532     $ 32     $ 192,346     $ (59,223 )   $ 6,163     $ 142,850     $ 6,748     $ 149,598  

Note 9.
Segment Information and Foreign Operations

Segment Information

We operate in one segment for the design, development, manufacture and distribution of high-performance compound semiconductor substrates and sale of materials. In accordance with ASC topic 280, Segment Reporting, our chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the principal executive officer, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the Company. Since we operate in one segment, all financial segment and product line information can be found in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Product Information

The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) by type:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Revenue by product type:
                       
GaAs substrates
  $ 14,862     $ 17,966     $ 27,093     $ 33,858  
InP substrates
    1,333       1,604       2,784       2,936  
Ge substrates
    2,441       2,701       5,071       5,691  
Raw materials and other
    6,517       7,760       13,691       12,112  
Total
  $ 25,153     $ 30,031     $ 48,639     $ 54,597  
 
 
14

 
Geographical Information

The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) reported for products shipped to customers in the corresponding geographic region:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Revenue by geographic region:
                       
North America*
  $ 4,266     $ 6,412     $ 9,433     $ 10,204  
Europe
    4,806       6,048       9,371       11,232  
Japan
    2,603       4,379       4,792       7,407  
Taiwan
    3,594       2,745       5,640       5,609  
Asia Pacific
    9,884       10,447       19,403       20,145  
Total
  $ 25,153     $ 30,031     $ 48,639     $ 54,597  


*Primarily the United States

 Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):

   
As of
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Long-lived assets by geographic region:
           
North America
  $ 375     $ 484  
China
    34,941       33,798  
    $ 35,316     $ 34,282  

Significant Customers

One customer represented 15.1% of our revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2012 while one customer represented 19.0% of our revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2011. One customer represented 16.2% of our revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and one customer represented 17.6% of our revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Our top five customers represented 39.3% and 36.9% of our revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our top five customers represented 39.1% and 36.5% of our revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally do not require collateral. One customer accounted for 10% or more of our trade accounts receivable balance as of June 30, 2012 at 32.2%. One customer accounted for 10% or more of our trade accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2011 at 32.4%.
 
 
15

 
Note 10.
Investments in Privately-held Companies

We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access to raw materials at a competitive cost that are critical to our substrate business.

The investments are summarized below (in thousands):

   
Investment Balance as of
         
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
Accounting
 
Ownership
 
Company
 
2012
   
2011
 
Method
 
Percentage
 
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd
  $ 3,331     $ 996  
Consolidated
    46 %
Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd
    592       592  
Consolidated
    83 %
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd
    410       410  
Consolidated
    70 %
    $ 4,333     $ 1,998            
                           
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.
  $ 2,100     $ 2,167  
Equity
    46 %
Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd
    3,800       3,881  
Equity
    25 %
Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd
    1,037       1,001  
Equity
    25 %
    $ 6,937     $ 7,049            

Our ownership of Beijing Ji Ya Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. (JiYa) is 46%. We continue to consolidate JiYa as we have significant influence in management and have majority control of the board. Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the JiYa board, while our president of China operations and our vice president of China administration and our vice president of wafer production are also members of the board.

Our ownership of Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd. (Jin Mei) is 83%. We continue to consolidate Jin Mei as we have significant influence in management and have majority control of the board. Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the Jin Mei board, while our president of China operations and our vice president of China administration are also members of the board.

Our ownership of Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd (BoYu) is 70%. We continue to consolidate BoYu as we have a significant influence in management and have majority control of the board. Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the BoYu board, while our president of China operations and our vice president of China administration are also members of the board.
Although we have representation on the boards of directors of each of these companies, the daily operations of each of these companies are managed by local management and not by us. Decisions concerning their respective short term strategy and operations, any capacity expansion and annual capital expenditures, and decisions concerning sales of finished product, are made by local management without input from us.

During the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the three consolidated joint ventures had income of $2.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of which $1.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, was allocated to minority interests, resulting in income of $1.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, included in our net income. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the three consolidated joint ventures had income of $5.3 million and $7.1 million, respectively, of which $2.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively, was allocated to minority interests, resulting in income of $2.8 million and $4.0  million, respectively, included in our net income.

The investment balances for three equity investment entities that are not consolidated are included in “other assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $6.9 million and $7.0 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. We own 46% of the ownership interests in one of these companies and 25% in each of the other two companies. These three companies are not considered variable interest entities because:

 
all three companies have sustainable businesses of their own;

 
our voting power is proportionate to our ownership interests;

 
we only recognize our respective share of the losses and/or residual returns generated by the companies if they occur; and
 
 
16

 
 
we do not have controlling financial interest in, do not maintain operational or management control of, do not control the board of directors of, and are not required to provide additional investment or financial support to, any of these companies.

These three equity investment entities had net equity losses of $91,000 and net equity earnings of $309,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recorded as “other income (expense), net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. These three equity investment entities had net equity losses of $128,000 and net equity earnings of $382,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recorded as “other income (expense), net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Net income recorded from all of these joint ventures was $1.5 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net income recorded from all of these joint ventures was $2.7 million and $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Undistributed retained earnings relating to all our investments in all these companies were $26.5 million and $23.8 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

We also maintain minority investments indirectly in privately-held companies through our consolidated joint ventures.  These minority investments are accounted for under the equity method in the books of our consolidated joint ventures. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our consolidated joint ventures included these minority investments in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets with a carrying value of $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

We also maintain minority investments directly in two privately-held companies accounted for under the cost method and we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investments in these two unconsolidated privately-held companies had a carrying value of $392,000 and are included in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Note 11.
Commitments and Contingencies

Indemnification Agreements

We enter into standard indemnification arrangements with our customers in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally their business partners or customers, in connection with any U.S. patent, or any copyright or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to our products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual anytime after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these agreements is unlimited. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that require us to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature; to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified; and to obtain directors’ and officers’ insurance if available on reasonable terms, which we currently have in place.

Product Warranty

We warrant our products for a specific period of time, generally twelve months, against material defects. We provide for the estimated future costs of warranty obligations in cost of sales when the related revenue is recognized. The accrued warranty costs represent the best estimate at the time of sale of the total costs that we expect to incur to repair or replace product parts that fail while still under warranty. The amount of accrued estimated warranty costs are primarily based on historical experience as to product failures as well as current information on repair costs. On a quarterly basis, we review the accrued balances and update these based on the historical warranty cost trends. The following table reflects the change in our warranty accrual which is included in “accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Beginning accrued warranty and related costs
  $ 997     $ 798     $ 1,003     $ 740  
Charges/(benefit) to cost of revenue
    (394 )     (255 )     (502 )     (270 )
Actual warranty expenditures
    137       334       239       407  
Ending accrued warranty and related costs
  $ 740     $ 877     $ 740     $ 877  
 
 
17

 
Contractual Obligations

We lease certain office space, manufacturing facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through February 2016. The lease agreement for the facility at Fremont, California with approximately 27,760 square feet commenced on December 1, 2008 for a term of seven years, with an option by us to cancel the lease after five years, upon forfeiture of the security deposit and payment of one-half of the fifth year’s rent.

We entered into a royalty agreement with a vendor effective December 3, 2010 with a term of eight years, terminating December 31, 2018.  We and our related companies are granted a worldwide, nonexclusive, royalty bearing, irrevocable license to certain patents for the term on the agreement. We shall pay a total of $7.0 million royalty payment over eight years that began in 2011 based on future royalty bearing sales.

Outstanding contractual obligations as of June 30, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Payments due by period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3
years
   
3-5
years
   
More than
5 years
 
Operating leases
  $ 1,207     $ 387     $ 684     $ 136     $  
Royalty agreement
    4,750       1,025       1,600       1,263       862  
Total
  $ 5,957     $ 1,412     $ 2,284     $ 1,399     $ 862  

Purchase Obligations

Through the normal course of business, we purchase or place orders for the necessary materials for our products from various suppliers and we commit to purchase products where we may incur a penalty if the agreement was canceled. As of June 30, 2012, we did not have any outstanding material purchase obligations.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we may be involved in judicial or administrative proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Note 12.
Foreign Exchange Transaction Gains/Losses

We incurred foreign exchange transaction exchange gains of $106,000 and $65,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We incurred foreign currency transaction exchange losses of $59,000 and $131,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are included in “other income (expense), net” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 13.
Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of June 30, 2012, we do not have any gross unrecognized tax benefits, nor any accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. As a result of the implementation of ASC 740 on January 1, 2007, we identified $16.4 million in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Of this amount, none was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. The amount decreased the tax loss carry-forwards in the U.S. which are fully offset by a valuation allowance. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, various states and foreign jurisdictions. We have substantially concluded all U.S. federal and state income tax matters through December 31, 2008. Provision for income taxes for three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 were mostly related to our China subsidiary and our China joint venture operations. We have made a tax election in China whereby certain minimum foreign withholding taxes are treated as an expense and not a tax credit. Besides the state tax liabilities, no Federal income tax expense has been provided for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 due to the valuation allowance being available.
 
 
18

 
Note 14.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no new accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2012, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, that are of material significance, or potential significance, to the Company.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including the following sections, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, particularly statements relating to our expectations regarding results of operations, customer demand, our ability to expand our markets and increase sales, industry trends, customer qualifications of our products, gross margins, the impact of the adoption of certain accounting pronouncements, our investments in capital projects, and our belief that we have adequate cash and investments to meet our needs over the next 12 months. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” below, which identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statements. We caution investors that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors identified in this Form 10-Q and other filings we have made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” and similar expressions. Statements concerning our future or expected financial results and condition, business strategy and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Overview

We are a leading worldwide developer and producer of high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrates comprising gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP) and germanium (Ge). We currently sell the following substrate products in the sizes and for the applications indicated:

Product
     
Substrates
 
Diameter
   
Applications
GaAs (semi-insulating)
 
2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”
 
Power amplifiers and radio frequency integrated circuits for wireless handsets (cell phones)
       
Direct broadcast television
       
High-performance transistors
       
Satellite communications
           
GaAs (semi-conducting)
 
2”, 3”, 4”
 
High brightness light emitting diodes
       
Lasers
       
Optical couplers
           
InP
 
2”, 3”, 4”
 
Broadband and fiber optic communications
           
Ge
 
2”, 4”, 6”
 
Satellite and terrestrial solar cells
       
Optical applications

We manufacture all of our semiconductor substrates using our proprietary vertical gradient freeze (VGF) technology. Most of our revenue is from sales of GaAs substrates. We manufacture all of our products in the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China), which generally has favorable costs for facilities and labor compared to comparable facilities in the United States, Europe or Japan. We also have joint ventures in China which provide us pricing advantages, reliable supply and enhanced sourcing lead-times for key raw materials which are central to our final manufactured products. These joint ventures produce products including 99.99% pure gallium (4N Ga), high purity gallium, arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide. AXT’s ownership interest in these entities ranges from 25% to 83%. We consolidate, for accounting purposes, the joint ventures in which we have majority or controlling financial interest and significant influence on management, and employ equity accounting for the joint ventures in which we have a smaller ownership interest. We purchase portions of the materials produced by these ventures for our own use and the joint ventures sell the remainder of their production to third parties. We use our direct sales force in the United States and independent sales representatives in Europe and Asia to market our substrates. We believe that, as the demand for compound semiconductor substrates increases, we are positioned to leverage our PRC-based manufacturing capabilities and access to favorably priced raw materials to increase our market share.
 
 
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
We prepared our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported on our financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments about future events and their effects on our results cannot be determined with certainty, and are made based upon our historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates may change as new events occur or additional information is obtained, and we may periodically be faced with uncertainties, the outcomes of which are not within our control and may not be known for a prolonged period of time. The discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are based upon these condensed consolidated financial statements.

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. A critical accounting policy is one that is both material to the presentation of our financial statements and requires us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments that could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations. They may require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate, and different estimates that we could have used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur, may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

We manufacture and sell high-performance compound semiconductor substrates and sell certain raw materials including gallium, germanium dioxide, and pBN crucibles. After we ship our products, there are no remaining obligations or customer acceptance requirements that would preclude revenue recognition. Our products are typically sold pursuant to a purchase order placed by our customers, and our terms and conditions of sale do not require customer acceptance. We recognize revenue upon shipment and transfer of title of products to our customers, which is either upon shipment from our dock, receipt at the customer’s dock, or removal from consignment inventory at the customer’s location, provided that we have received a signed purchase order, the price is fixed or determinable, title and risk of ownership have transferred, collection of resulting receivables is probable, and product returns are reasonably estimable. We do not provide training, installation or commissioning services.

We provide for future returns based on historical experience, current economic trends and changes in customer demand at the time revenue is recognized.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We periodically review the likelihood of collection on our accounts receivable balances and provide an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable primarily based upon the age of these accounts. We evaluate receivables from U.S. customers in excess of 90 days and for receivables from customers located outside the U.S. in excess of 120 days and reserve allowance on the receivable balances if needed. We assess the probability of collection based on a number of factors, including the length of time a receivable balance has been outstanding, our past history with the customer and their creditworthiness.

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our accounts receivable, net, balance was $22.4 million and $18.0 million, respectively, with no allowance for doubtful accounts. If actual uncollectible accounts differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts would be required, which could have a material impact on our financial results for the affected period.

The allowance for sales returns is also deducted from gross accounts receivable. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our allowance for sales returns was $184,000 and $124,000, respectively.

Warranty Reserve

We maintain a warranty reserve based upon our claims experience during the prior twelve months. Warranty costs are accrued at the time revenue is recognized. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, accrued product warranties totaled $740,000 and $1.0 million, respectively. If actual warranty costs differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
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Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method. Our inventory consists of raw materials as well as finished goods and work-in-process that include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. Given the nature of our substrate products, and the materials used in the manufacturing process, the wafers and ingots comprising work-in-process may be held in inventory for up to two years and three years, respectively, as the risk of obsolescence for these materials is low. We routinely evaluate the levels of our inventory in light of current market conditions in order to identify excess and obsolete inventory, and we provide a valuation allowance for certain inventories based upon the age and quality of the product and the projections for sale of the completed products. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had an inventory reserve of $7.2 million and $12.3 million, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventory. If actual demand for our products were to be substantially lower than estimated, additional inventory adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory might be required, which could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Impairment of Investments

We classify our investments in debt and equity securities as available-for-sale securities in accordance with ASC topic 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities (“ASC 320”). All available-for-sale securities with a quoted market value below cost (or adjusted cost) are reviewed in order to determine whether the decline is other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality, and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

We invest in equity instruments of privately-held companies for business and strategic purposes. These investments are classified as other assets and are accounted for under the cost method as we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations. We monitor our investments for impairment and record reductions in carrying value when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Determination of impairment is highly subjective and is based on a number of factors, including an assessment of the strength of investee’s management, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than our cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, fundamental changes to the business prospects of the investee, share prices of subsequent offerings, and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in our carrying value. We had no write-downs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.
 
Fair Value of Investments

In the current market environment, the assessment of the fair value of debt instruments can be difficult and subjective. The rapid changes occurring in today’s financial markets can lead to changes in the fair value of financial instruments in relatively short periods of time. ASC 820 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.

Level 1 instruments represent quoted prices in active markets. Therefore, determining fair value for Level 1 instruments does not require significant management judgment, and the estimation is not difficult.

Level 2 instruments include observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for identical instruments in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), issuer credit ratings, non-binding market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. These Level 2 instruments require more management judgment and subjectivity compared to Level 1 instruments, including:

 
Determining which instruments are most similar to the instrument being priced requires management to identify a sample of similar securities based on the coupon rates, maturity, issuer, credit rating, and instrument type, and subjectively select an individual security or multiple securities that are deemed most similar to the security being priced.

 
Determining whether a market is considered active requires management judgment. Our assessment of an active market for our marketable debt instruments generally takes into consideration activity during each week of the one-month period prior to the valuation date of each individual instrument, including the number of days each individual instrument trades and the average weekly trading volume in relation to the total outstanding amount of the issued instrument.
 
 
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Determining which model-derived valuations to use in determining fair value requires management judgment. When observable market prices for identical securities or similar securities are not available, we price our marketable debt instruments using non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated with observable market data or pricing models, such as discounted cash flow models, with all significant inputs derived from or corroborated with observable market data.

Level 3 instruments include unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities. The determination of fair value for Level 3 instruments requires the most management judgment and subjectivity. As of June 30, 2012, we did not have any assets or liabilities without observable market values that would require a high level of judgment to determine fair value (Level 3 assets).

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the recoverability of property, equipment and intangible assets in accordance with ASC topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”). When events and circumstances indicate that long-lived assets may be impaired, we compare the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the projection of future undiscounted cash flows attributable to these assets. In the event that the carrying value exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows, we record an impairment charge against income equal to the excess of the carrying value over the assets’ fair value. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows or internal and external appraisals, as applicable.

Stock-based Compensation

We grant options to substantially all management employees and believe that this program helps us to attract, motivate and retain high quality employees, to the ultimate benefit of our stockholders. We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC topic 718, Stock-based Compensation (“ASC 718”), using the modified prospective method. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of employee stock compensation awards, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility and expected term. Historical volatility was used in estimating the fair value of our stock options awards, while the expected term for our options was estimated based on historical option exercise behavior and post-vesting forfeitures of options by our employees. Further, we estimate forfeitures for stock compensation awards that are not expected to vest. Changes in these inputs and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of our stock compensation.
 
We recognize the compensation costs net of an estimated forfeiture rate over the requisite service period of the options award, which is generally the vesting term of four years. The cost of restricted stock awards is determined using the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is recognized over the vesting period, which is generally three years or four years. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in cost of revenue, research and development, and selling, general and administrative expenses.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

We provide for income taxes based upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region, particularly China. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws, particularly in foreign countries such as China.

See Note 13—“Income Taxes” in the notes to condensed financial statements for additional information.
 
 
22

 
Results of Operations

Revenue
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Increase
       
   
2012
   
2011
   
(Decrease)
   
% Change
 
    ($ in thousands)              
GaAs
  $ 14,862     $ 17,966     $ (3,104 )     (17.3 )%
InP
    1,333       1,604       (271 )     (16.9 )%
Ge
    2,441       2,701       (260 )     (9.6 )%
Raw materials and other
    6,517       7,760       (1,243 )     (16.0 )%
Total revenue
  $ 25,153     $ 30,031     $ (4,878 )     (16.2 )%

Revenue decreased $4.9 million, or 16.2%, to $25.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $30.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Total GaAs substrate revenue decreased $3.1 million, or 17.3%, to $14.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $18.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in GaAs substrate revenue was primarily due to the softer demand environment worldwide in both the light emitting diode (LED) market and wireless devices market compared to the same period prior year.

Sales of 2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $10.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared with $11.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in revenue from smaller diameter substrates was primarily due to weaker demand for semi-conducting GaAs substrates used in LED applications in all geographic regions except Taiwan. We expect revenue from semi-conducting GaAs substrates to decline next quarter primarily due to weaker demand from customers in China in consumer applications markets.

Sales of 5 inch and 6 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $4.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in revenue from larger diameter substrates was primarily due to lower demand for semi-insulating GaAs substrates used in the wireless devices market compared to the same period prior year. We expect revenue from semi-insulating GaAs substrate to remain flat next quarter.

InP substrate revenue decreased $271,000, or 16.9%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to slower demand from a major customer in the optical networking industry. Based on recent indications from our customers, we believe this slower demand will reverse next quarter.

Ge substrate revenue decreased $260,000, or 9.6%, to $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to fewer planned satellite launches compared to the same period prior year. We expect Ge substrate revenue to decline moderately due to customer mix from different geographic regions.

Raw materials revenue decreased $1.2 million, or 16.0%, to $6.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $7.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in raw materials revenue was primarily due to fluctuation in demand for 4N raw gallium as well as from decreased selling prices. We expect our third party raw material revenue to continue to decline next quarter as a result of anticipated decreases in average selling prices.

   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
Increase
       
   
2012
   
2011
   
(Decrease)
   
% Change
 
    ($ in thousands)              
GaAs
  $ 27,093     $ 33,858     $ (6,765 )     (20.0 )%
InP
    2,784       2,936       (152 )     (5.2 )%
Ge
    5,071       5,691       (620 )     (10.9 )%
Raw materials and other
    13,691       12,112       1,579       13.0 %
Total revenue
  $ 48,639     $ 54,597     $ (5,958 )     (10.9 )%

Revenue decreased $6.0 million, or 10.9%, to $48.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $54.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Total GaAs substrate revenue decreased $6.8 million, or 20.0%, to $27.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $33.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in GaAs substrate revenue was primarily due to the softer demand environment worldwide in both the light emitting diode (LED) market and wireless devices market compared to the same period of the prior year.
 
 
23

 
Sales of 2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $18.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared with $23.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in revenue from smaller diameter substrates was primarily due to weaker demand in LED market in all geographic regions except Taiwan.

Sales of 5 inch and 6 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in revenue from larger diameter substrates was primarily due to lower demand for semi-insulating GaAs substrate from customers in the wireless devices market compared to the same period of the prior year.

InP substrate revenue decreased $152,000, or 5.2%, to $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to slower demand from a major customer in the optical networking industry. Based on recent indications from our customers, we believe this slower demand will reverse next quarter.

Ge substrate revenue decreased $620,000, or 10.9%, to $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to fewer planned satellite launches compared to the same period prior year.

Raw materials revenue increased $1.6 million, or 13.0%, to $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $12.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 since the first quarter of 2011 had particularly weak demand for 4N raw gallium.  In the six months ended June 30, 2012, the increase in raw materials revenue was primarily due to capacity increase to fulfill the demand for 4N raw gallium in the earlier months of 2012.

Revenue by Geographic Region

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Increase
       
   
2012
   
2011
   
(Decrease)
   
% Change
 
   
($ in thousands)
             
North America *
  $ 4,266     $ 6,412     $ (2,146 )     (33.5 )%
% of total revenue
    17.0 %     21.4 %                
Europe
    4,806       6,048       (1,242 )     (20.5 )%
% of total revenue
    19.1 %     20.1 %                
Japan
    2,603       4,379       (1,776 )     (40.6 )%
% of total revenue
    10.3 %     14.6 %